Woman Sentenced For Unemployment Insurance Fraud

The perpetrator was working and receiving unemployment insurance benefits at the same time she was earning wages.

Dearborn County courtroom. File photo.

(Dearborn County, Ind.) – A Moores Hill woman is being ordered to serve probation and repay money after pleading guilty to unemployment insurance fraud.

Wanda Disbro, 65, pleaded guilty on May 1 in Dearborn Superior Court I. The Indiana Department of Workforce Development said Disbro was working and receiving unemployment insurance benefits at the same time she was earning wages.

She was sentenced to seven and a half years in probation and must repay nearly $24,000 for the benefits she fraudulently collected.

The DWD says it receives wage reports and new hire data from Hoosier employers documenting who is employed and receiving compensation. The agency uses this information to ensure people are not collecting unemployment insurance benefits while working. 

Since 2013, Indiana courts have ordered fraudsters to repay millions in restitution to the state’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund.

“Combatting fraud preserves employer-paid monies in the trust fund for those individuals whom are truly in need of unemployment insurance benefits,” said Gina Ashley, DWD, Chief Unemployment Insurance Officer.

You can help combat unemployment insurance fraud and abuse by reporting it online at www.in.gov/dwd/fraud.