EUGENE, Ore.—A Springfield, Oregon, woman pleaded guilty and was sentenced to federal prison today for fraudulently obtaining unemployment insurance benefits.
Jamianne MacKenzie, 41, was sentenced to three months in federal prison and three years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay over $30,000 in restitution.
According to court documents, MacKenzie used personal information of a victim to fraudulently apply for over $27,500 in unemployment insurance, which she used for personal expenses. The victim was unable to receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) after the Oregon Department of Human Services was notified in March 2021 that a claim was filed under the victim’s social security number in December 2020. The victim was unable to receive over $2,500 in TANF benefits.
On Feb. 20, 2025, a federal grand jury in Eugene returned an indictment charging MacKenzie with theft of government property.
U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon made the announcement.
The U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General COVID Fraud Unit investigated the case. First Assistant U.S. Attorney William Narus prosecuted the case.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
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