“At a time when individuals and families were suffering due to the pandemic and loss of jobs, unscrupulous people made a choice to steal unemployment funds. This was already a dark time for America, and these criminals made it even darker. I applaud the ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to identify, investigate, charge and prosecute those greedy individuals who stole millions of dollars in unemployment benefits. These investigators are working to protect public funds meant to help those in need.”
CSLEA President Alan Barcelona
SAN DIEGO – On November 20, 2023, Constantin Bobi Sandu, 34, who admitted that he masterminded a scheme to steal more than $5 million in California unemployment benefits intended to help workers affected by the pandemic, was sentenced in federal court to 40 months in prison.
According to his plea agreement, Sandu conspired with more than 200 other individuals across California and in Romania to fraudulently obtain millions of dollars by fabricating documents, creating fictitious accounts and businesses, and filing bogus claims with California’s Economic Development Department, which administers the state’s unemployment benefits. Among other things, Sandu wired $16,000 in fraud proceeds to Romania to renovate his house.
Sandu also was ordered to forfeit $214,950 that he personally received from the offenses.
Title 18 U.S.C. §§ 981(a)(1)(C) and 982(a)(1), and Title 28, U.S.C. § 2461(c) – Criminal Forfeitures
Agencies that investigated this case:
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- San Diego Police Department Economic Crimes Unit
- IRS Criminal Investigation
- California Employment Development Department Investigative Division
- Department of Labor Office of Investigator General
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security
