Texas Man Indicted on Federal Charges for COVID-19 Unemployment Fraud Scheme

ALBUQUERQUE – A Texas man has been indicted on federal charges for allegedly defrauding the government by obtaining COVID-19 pandemic-related unemployment benefits through false claims.

According to court documents, Mark A. Long, 46, knowingly used the personal information of other individuals, including some who were incarcerated, to file fraudulent applications for federally funded Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and related unemployment benefits through the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions and other state agencies between July 2020 and February 2021. Long allegedly caused approximately $420,000 in benefits to be issued, including roughly $160,000 from New Mexico.

Long is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit fraud, nine counts of wire fraud, eight counts of mail fraud, and 11 counts of theft of government property. If convicted, Long faces up to 30 years in prison, significant fines and potential forfeiture of property derived from the alleged offenses.

Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

The FBI Albuquerque Field Office and Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General investigated this case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

This press release was posted November 14, after the end of the federal government shutdown.