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Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times
National
CST Editorial Board

More alarming numbers about the huge scale of pandemic fraud

Pandemic Unemployment Insurance
The latest U.S. Dept. of Labor estimates say fraudulent unemployment insurance claims during the pandemic reached $45.6 billion. (AP Photos)

The latest estimates on unemployment insurance fraud committed during the height of the pandemic are eye-popping and also maddening: a whopping $45.6 billion.

That figure, a Sept. 21 memo from the Office of the Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Labor points out, is far higher than the previous estimate of $16 billion. Those fraudulent unemployment insurance claims were filed when the federal government began sending out trillions in pandemic aid meant to help those laid off due to COVID-19.

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