Pennsylvania man assisted individuals in obtaining pandemic unemployment benefits, but many recipients were incarcerated.

Alexander Daravina’s recent legal troubles highlight a case of alleged fraud that unfolded against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, which drastically impacted the economy and job market. In 2020, Daravina, then 33 years old and incarcerated in a Pennsylvania state prison, engaged in a scheme to apply for and secure funds from the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program on behalf of numerous individuals. However, many of the recipients involved in this operation were fellow inmates, rendering them ineligible for such benefits, as federal authorities later determined.

According to documents unsealed in a recent indictment, federal prosecutors assert that the fraudulent activities orchestrated by Daravina resulted in a loss exceeding 0,000 to the government. The investigation reveals that Daravina collaborated with Moses Benabe, a man connected to his girlfriend’s family, to perpetrate this crime. Daravina allegedly gathered personal information—such as names, birth dates, and Social Security numbers—of other individuals, including his fellow prisoners, passing the data to Benabe for processing.

Following this data collection, Benabe submitted applications to the PUA program on behalf of these individuals, knowing they were not entitled to the assistance. Debit cards pre-loaded with funds were then dispatched to addresses affiliated with the scheme. Evidence suggests that during the short span from July to September 2020, Daravina and Benabe managed to generate numerous debit cards, some valued at over ,000.

Both Daravina and Benabe face serious charges, including conspiracy, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft. Their legal representatives have not yet provided public comments regarding the case. The severity of the situation is highlighted by the findings of the Government Accountability Office, which reported in 2023 that approximately 15 percent of unemployment insurance disbursed during the pandemic was likely fraudulent. This figure indicates a staggering total of more than 0 billion in potentially misappropriated funds.

As lawmakers and law enforcement agencies intensify their efforts to recover lost funds and hold accountable those involved in such fraudulent activities, Daravina and Benabe could be confronted with substantial prison sentences if convicted. Each defendant faces a mandatory minimum of two years of incarceration, should the evidence against them prove sufficient in court. This case underscores the challenges faced by authorities in managing fraud amid unprecedented demand for emergency financial support during a global crisis.