By: Richard L. Smith
Ten individuals, including a former temporary state employee, have been indicted in connection with a series of unrelated but serious unemployment benefit fraud cases tied to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to statements released by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office.
The indictments, filed in March 2025, stem from an ongoing crackdown by the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) and Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin’s office aimed at rooting out pandemic-era fraud. 
Authorities allege the defendants illegally obtained tens of thousands of dollars in unemployment insurance benefits and, in some cases, other forms of financial assistance intended for struggling residents.
“These benefits were created to help people through one of the most difficult times in recent history,” said Attorney General Platkin in the statement.
“To steal that money is not just theft—it’s an attack on public trust, especially when the accused is someone entrusted to work inside the very system they exploited.”
Among those charged is Vanessa Allen of East Orange, a former temporary employee of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOL), who allegedly used her access to unlawfully secure over $56,000 in benefits for herself and others.
According to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, Allen faces multiple charges, including official misconduct, theft by deception, and tampering with public records.
Three others—Jeffson Cues of Newark, Nerlande Etienne of Irvington, and Rose Allen, also of East Orange—are accused of unlawfully collecting benefits ranging from $33,000 to nearly $60,000. All are charged with theft by deception.
In a separate case, Daezonae Cabbagestalk and Durrell Jenkins, both of Voorhees, allegedly defrauded the federal government and the state of New Jersey out of over $75,000 each by submitting false claims for Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Paycheck Protection Program funds.
They are also accused of laundering the stolen funds and filing fraudulent tax returns.
Other individuals named in the indictments include Selene Williams of Woodbridge, Virginia Smith of Clementon, Paul Huber of Pitman, and Brian Korygoski of Sayreville—all charged with theft by deception for allegedly collecting unemployment benefits they were not entitled to during the pandemic.
According to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, these indictments are part of a broader initiative to identify and prosecute those who exploited emergency relief programs.
“Even five years after the start of the pandemic, we are still uncovering fraud,” said DCJ Director Theresa L. Hilton. “We will continue to pursue justice for taxpayers and ensure these critical resources are protected.”
Second-degree charges carry potential prison sentences of five to ten years and fines of up to $150,000.
The investigations and prosecutions are ongoing.