Tabitha Leigh Markle, a 53-year-old resident of Sacramento, has been sentenced to four years and two months in prison for her role in a scheme to defraud the unemployment insurance benefit program during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sentencing was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Kimberly A. Sanchez.
“Today’s sentencing highlights the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s continuing efforts to actively prosecute fraud against the unemployment insurance program that served as a lifeline for millions during the pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Sanchez. “We are committed to ensuring unemployment benefits go to the unemployed who need the assistance, not to thieves who believe they are above the law.”
According to Quentin Heiden, Special Agent-in-Charge for the Western Region of the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, “Tabitha Markle unlawfully obtained over $2.5 million in COVID-19 pandemic-related unemployment insurance benefits by using the personal identifying information of other people, including several inmates in California state prisons, to file fraudulent claims. She falsified employment records to make it appear that the claimants were eligible for benefits when, in fact, they were not. Many of these individuals were unwitting participants in her scheme. The illegally obtained unemployment insurance funds, which Markle used for personal gain, were intended to support American workers facing economic hardship during an unprecedented public health crisis.”
Court documents show that between April 2020 and January 2021, Markle collected personally identifiable information such as names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers from various individuals and submitted fraudulent applications for unemployment insurance benefits through California’s Employment Development Department (EDD). Debit cards issued under false pretenses were mailed to addresses provided by Markle in her applications and then used at ATMs across California by Markle and her associates to withdraw cash.
Surveillance photos often captured Markle and others withdrawing large sums from these cards. In total, approximately $2.6 million was taken through this fraud scheme.
Markle also targeted individual victims without their knowledge or consent by filing false claims using their real names but providing fake contact details so that she could access funds meant for them.
The investigation into this case involved multiple agencies: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General, California EDD – Investigation Division, and United States Department of Labor Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dhruv Sharma prosecuted the case.
This prosecution is part of a broader effort led by one of five interagency COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Strike Force teams established by the U.S. Department of Justice in California’s Eastern and Central Districts. These strike forces focus on identifying large-scale pandemic relief fraud involving criminal organizations and transnational actors through collaborative law enforcement work driven by data analysis.
