Agents with Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill’s Office have arrested a Michigan woman for defrauding Louisiana’s pandemic unemployment program of over $66,000.

Local officials in Jackson County, Michigan took Antonya Moore, 26, of Michigan, into custody on January 12.

Moore was extradited and booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison.

Louisiana Bureau of Investigation (LBI) agents learned Moore allegedly submitted multiple fraudulent online claims for COVID-19 unemployment insurance benefits.

“Government benefits like COVID assistance are intended to help our neighbors most in need. Obtaining these illegally is a crime that not only hurts taxpayers, but also the people they are intended to support,” said Attorney General Liz Murrill. 

Louisiana Bureau of Investigations agents have received over 100 complaints for COVID pandemic fraud cases. So far, the office has made over 25 arrests, and identified over $3 million in losses in those cases. 

This is an ongoing investigation.

A Federal District Court dismissed a suit challenging the de-listing of the Louisiana Black Bear from the endangered species list.

Louisiana intervened and defended the de-listing.

Yesterday, Judge Brian Jackson granted summary judgment in favor of the state.