David Godin, a 34-year-old from Miami, Florida, has pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. The charges are linked to a scheme where he attempted to defraud the Maryland Department of Labor (MD-DOL) and California Employment Development Department (CA-EDD) of over $2.3 million in unemployment insurance benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The guilty plea was announced by Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, alongside Special Agent in Charge Troy W. Springer from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General and Special Agent in Charge Kareem A. Carter from the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation.
According to court documents, between June 2020 and November 2023, Godin orchestrated a complex scheme using stolen personal information, anonymous emails, virtual private networks, and proxy servers. This allowed him to file numerous fraudulent claims across multiple states while evading detection measures implemented by state insurance programs.
Godin submitted at least 140 fraudulent claims resulting in approximately $2,364,226 in benefits being disbursed. He successfully obtained $1,087,345.66 through this scheme and is now required to pay restitution equal to that amount as part of his plea agreement. Additionally, he must forfeit assets acquired through these activities.
Godin could face up to 20 years in federal prison for wire fraud plus an additional mandatory two-year sentence for identity theft-related offenses. Sentencing will be determined by U.S. District Judge Matthew J. Maddox on June 30.
This case falls under the District of Maryland COVID-19 Strike Force's purview—one among five established nationwide by the U.S. Department of Justice targeting large-scale pandemic relief frauds perpetrated by criminal entities both domestic and international.
For further details on combating pandemic-related fraud or reporting suspected cases involving COVID-19 funds misuse can visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus or contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721.
U.S Attorney Hayes praised DOL-OIG and IRS-CI's investigative efforts while acknowledging Assistant U.S Attorneys Bijon A Mostoufi & Jared M Beim along with Joanna N Huber supporting prosecution proceedings against Godin.
Further information regarding resources available via Maryland’s US Attorney Office including reporting mechanisms concerning fraudulent activity is accessible online at www.justice.gov/usao-md/report-fraud