A former state worker has admitted she took bribes in exchange for pushing through millions of dollars in fraudulent unemployment claims.
Federal prosecutors say 39 year old Janine Rayford of Redford pleaded guilty on August 28 to bribery conspiracy and aggravated identity theft. Court records show Rayford accepted more than $50,000 in bribes and used her position inside the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency to approve fraudulent payments worth more than $2.86 million.
Rayford is accused of manipulating the system by closing fraud flags on accounts and releasing improper payments. The scheme drained taxpayer money during a time when the state was already under financial pressure.
U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison said in a statement “We will not tolerate corruption in public service. The defendant exploited her position of trust to enrich herself and others at the expense of taxpayers. Today’s plea demonstrates our commitment to hold accountable those who abuse their authority.”
Special Agent in Charge Josh Hauxhurst of the FBI Detroit Field Office added “When a state employee accepts bribes to facilitate fraud it is not just theft of money it is a betrayal of public trust. We will continue to investigate and prosecute those who engage in corruption.”
Rayford is scheduled to be sentenced on January 8 before U.S. District Judge Judith Levy. She faces a mandatory 2 year prison sentence for identity theft and up to 5 years for bribery conspiracy.
Officials from the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General and the Department of Homeland Security OIG assisted in the investigation.
