Niesha Goodwin, a 37-year-old resident of Albany, has pled guilty to charges of mail fraud and aggravated identity theft related to the fraudulent acquisition of pandemic unemployment insurance benefits. She also admitted guilt in firearm and drug distribution offenses following the discovery of a firearm and cocaine base at her home.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge for the Northeast Region of the United States Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General (USDOL-OIG); Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the Boston Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); and Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations' Buffalo Field Office.
Goodwin confessed that between July 2020 and March 2021, she unlawfully obtained over $150,000 in unemployment benefits by submitting applications using stolen identities from five individuals. She has agreed to repay $151,783 to the New York State Department of Labor.
In addition to these charges, Goodwin acknowledged possessing a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol and crack cocaine with intent to distribute in November 2022. Due to a previous robbery conviction, she was prohibited from legally owning the firearm. Goodwin has consented to forfeit the weapon and abandon seven rounds found within it.
Goodwin is facing a minimum prison sentence of two years, fines up to $1.75 million, and at least three years under supervised release when sentenced on June 12, 2025, by United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino.
The investigation was conducted by USDOL-OIG, USPIS, and HSI with support from the Albany Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew M. Paulbeck, Joseph S. Hartunian, and Joshua R. Rosenthal.