IRS Employees Charged in Unemployment Fraud

DALLAS (AP) _ Two Internal Revenue Service employees have been indicted on charges alleging that they claimed more than $12,000 in unemployment benefits.

Federal officials accused Austin residents Spencer Allen and Mona Alexander of Wednesday of theft of unemployment insurance benefits and making false statements to the Texas Workforce Commission.

Authorities said Allen received $3,395 and Alexander obtained $9,172 in benefits. Both face fines and possible jail time if convicted.

IRS spokeswoman Lea Crusberg said she couldn’t comment on pending litigation.

Attorneys for both defendants didn’t immediately return messages.

A commission spokeswoman said the alleged wrongdoing was discovered when the IRS notified state agencies after finding similar cases in Utah and California.

More News