A
St. Joseph woman has been charged with defrauding the federal government out of
nearly $80,000 in coronavirus relief aid.

A
federal grand jury empaneled in Kansas City handed down a four-count indictment
against 38-year-old Brooke Stewart.

The
federal indictment accuses Stewart of filing false unemployment claims by using
the names of prisoners. Congress approved enhanced unemployment benefits in March
of 2020, part of the federal response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The
indictment charges Stewart filed for the $600 enhanced unemployment
benefits for four separate people not eligible under the program, known as “Emergency
Increase in Unemployment Compensation.” The indictment seeks the return of $78,858 to the federal government.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA
St. Joseph woman has been charged with defrauding the federal government out of
nearly $80,000 in coronavirus relief aid.A
federal grand jury empaneled in Kansas City handed down a four-count indictment
against 38-year-old Brooke Stewart.The
federal indictment accuses Stewart of filing false unemployment claims by using
the names of prisoners. Congress approved enhanced unemployment benefits in March
of 2020, part of the federal response to the coronavirus pandemic.The
indictment charges Stewart filed for the $600 enhanced unemployment
benefits for four separate people not eligible under the program, known as “Emergency
Increase in Unemployment Compensation.” The indictment seeks the return of $78,858 to the federal government.

St. Joseph woman accused of defrauding government out of COVID relief funds