JACKSON – Three people have been arrested as part of an investigation into unemployment compensation fraud known as Operation Payback, according to State Auditor Shad White.
White said special agents with the State Auditor’s Office arrested Chadwick Stubbs, Blair Stubbs and Shinka Stubbs.
According to the auditor’s office, the three are accused of submitting fraudulent unemployment claims using the identities of 13 inmates who were incarcerated with Blair and Chadwick Stubbs when the claims were filed with the Mississippi Department of Employment Security.
“My office discovered that during COVID, Mississippi handed out over half a billion dollars in improper unemployment payments,” White said in a statement. “We will continue working diligently to hold criminals accountable and recover as much of this misspent money as possible.”
If convicted, the three could face up to $36,000 in fines and up to 45 years in prison, according to the auditor’s office.
The State Auditor’s Office said all people arrested are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
The office also said suspected fraud can be reported through the auditor’s website or by calling 1-800-321-1275 during normal business hours.
