OHIO — Two sisters from Georgia have pleaded guilty to their roles in a scheme that federal prosecutors say helped push nearly $2 million in pandemic unemployment benefits to claims that had been flagged for suspected fraud.
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On Aug. 31, Joirean Creel, 35, of Duluth, and Adriane Creel, 24, of Stone Mountain, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and honest services wire fraud, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio.
Federal prosecutors said the sisters worked remotely as teleservices representatives through a subcontractor for the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, the agency responsible for administering Ohio’s unemployment insurance program, including federally funded pandemic benefits during COVID-19.
As part of their jobs, the women had access to an online system for processing unemployment claims. Prosecutors said they abused that access by accepting bribes and kickbacks in exchange for helping claims move through the system.
According to court documents, the sisters used their credentials to remove fraud flags and clear claims that had been held or denied due to suspected fraud. Prosecutors said the actions resulted in $1.96 million in unemployment benefits being paid out.
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Officials also said the sisters submitted fraudulent unemployment claims for themselves in multiple states, including New York, Pennsylvania and Nevada, despite being employed at the time.
Federal authorities further alleged that Joirean Creel was working for the U.S. Postal Service while claiming to be unemployed and collecting benefits.
During the investigation, law enforcement seized and forfeited a Mercedes-Benz GL450 connected to the case.
Prosecutors said the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services ultimately lost more than $2 million as a result of the conspiracy.
Sentencing dates have not yet been announced.
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