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Show Cheating cn Unearned Benefits for Unemployment Is Penalized for continued eligibility. He receives re-ceives a pamphlet explaining these same things. And finally, each claimant watches a 20 minute min-ute colored slide presentation which step by step explains the obligations of the claimant and the obligations of Employment Security. While the Department's fraud prevention program will continue con-tinue to be positive and educational, educa-tional, no effort will be spared in seeking out those of a small minority who can't resist the temptation to cheat on the fund maintained for the benefit of those jobless workers who meet legal requirements for collecting collect-ing benefits. Willful misrepresentation made to obtain unearned unemployment unem-ployment benefits is fraud, and when detected carries some very severe penalties, according accord-ing to Duane Price, manager of the Heber Employment security Office. Some of this punishment is administered by the courts, but the Department of Employment Security can also take punitive measures independent of court action through authority given to it by the law which created the department. What about these penalties for fraud? A court can impose a jail sentence up to 60 days. It can also levy a fine of $250. Between January and August, 1971, the Department of Employment Employ-ment Security refer red 61 cases to county attorneys for fraud prosecution. As a result, individuals indivi-duals charged with fraud were either convicted or pleaded quilty in 60 of the 61 cases. Fines ranged from $25 to $150. Some individuals served jail sentences, others were placed on probation pendingpaymentof the fines, and repayment to the Department of Unemployment Benefits obtained by fraud. What can EmploymentSecur-ity EmploymentSecur-ity do, in addition to seeking court action? It can disqualify a claimant for one full year. It can continue the disqualification disqualifica-tion beyond a year, or until all unemployment benefits gotten through misrepresentation, have been fully repaid to the fund which is maintained for legitimate claimants. The Department of Employment Employ-ment Security has a special policing unit staffed by professionals profes-sionals whose full time .is spent seeking those persons who file . fraudulent claims. "Backing up this activity is an educational program based on a well-founded well-founded conviction that most people want to do the right thing and will do it if told "how" and "why". By means of printed materials, mate-rials, radio and television, the general public has some knowledge know-ledge of its stake in Utah's Employment Security Program. Pro-gram. But when a worker finds himself without a job, and makes application for unemployment unem-ployment benefits he receives full information relative to the unemployment insurance law. First, he registers for work. Then he files his initial claims for benefits. He is told of his obligations and the conditions |