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Long Island Unemployment Fraud Lawyer
Long Island Unemployment Fraud Lawyer
Unemployment fraud is a serious issue that could result in financial penalties and, if the fraud was severe enough, even jail time.
What Constitutes Unemployment Fraud?
The New York State Department of Labor issues unemployment insurance (UI) benefits, which are intended to help those citizens who are out of work.
Many people take advantage of this system, either unknowingly or knowingly. The Department of Labor lists all the most common examples of UI benefits fraud.
Fraud almost always involves providing some sort of false information for your unemployment claim. This could mean you weren’t honest about how your job ended, you didn’t disclose important information on your benefits application, or you said you were ready to work so you could claim UI benefits when you actually weren’t able to work at that time.
If you are looking for a lawyer that listens, is aggressive where needed, and holds his word above all else, Todd is the best pick. I had hired multiple attorneys prior to hiring the Spodek Group for a white collar case. The first thing that stood out to me was the cost, as anyone going through the process and dealing with the system, money was tight at that time - especially after hiring and firing multiple lawyers. The cost was not as high as others which was definitely a plus. Todd's intake process was also unlike other attorneys. He took the time to actually listen. He cared. He was trying to put himself in my shoes while I was explaining the situation to him and he really took the time to understand the whole situation. Other lawyers will give you 15 mins and send you a retainer agreement. Not Todd, I think he spent almost two hours with me as I was explaining everything.Not only was he great during the onboarding process, he was supportive and very informative through the entire plea process and eventually sentencing. After hiring him, I asked if I should hire a prison consultant, he told me to save my money as he would do everything they would. He was right and held up to his word. Later on I would hear from others that went with the prison consultants that they were a waste of money - I am glad I listened to Todd!When it came time for sentencing, two days prior to sentencing, the prosecutor tried increasing my proposed prison time by almost double - apparently a normal move. Todd and his team worked with me non-stop through the weekend prior to sentencing to ensure that I was not given additional prison time. Again, he took the time to listen and came up with a strategy to explain the case with great detail.Unfortunately, I did plead guilty as that was my best option. Todd and his whole team wrote up nearly 300 pages of a summary of what happened and why I should not be given prison time. If I breakdown the amount I spent with Todd versus the amount of work that I saw being done, I am shocked I was not charged four times as much. The other benefit was, a lot of criminal defense lawyers were just a single attorney with a paralegal or two. Todd had a team of people that I dealt with (5-7 people that I interacted with), but he was ALWAYS accessible. It would never take him more than an hour to reply unless he was in court.I was sentenced to prison and I was emotionally distraught. Todd and his team did whatever they could even after sentencing to make sure I was alright. He personally stayed in touch with my family to ensure I was doing alright and offered support to them. Most lawyers would consider the job complete at sentencing, not Todd.After prison, Todd still spent time with me to make sure I was on the right track and avoiding any potential risks in the future. He has also been giving advice on how to navigate probation etc and has not been looking at the clock for billing.Although I wish I had never been arrested in the first place, I am glad I had Todd and his team in my corner. Without them I likely would have had to spend a lot more time in prison than I did.Thank you, Todd, and the entire Spodek Law team, for helping turn what was a nightmare into a manageable situation!
I am immensely grateful to the entire team at Spodek Law Group for their unwavering dedication and exceptional expertise throughout my case. From our initial consultation to the final resolution, their professionalism and tireless advocacy made all the difference. Their strategic approach and attention to detail instilled confidence in me every step of the way.Thanks to their hard work and commitment, we achieved a truly favorable outcome that exceeded my expectations. Not only did they navigate the complexities of my case with precision, but they also provided invaluable support and guidance during what was undoubtedly a challenging time. I cannot recommend Spodek Law Group highly enough, especially attorneys Todd Spodek and Claire Banks; they are beacons of excellence in the legal profession.YSP.
Todd, Ralph and Alex are amazing. Helped my husband get from a double digit number with multiple charges to a single digit, by the time I blink he will be out. They very professional and help with all your needs. They dealt with my anxiety and worry very well and they understand that your family member needs to get home as soon as possible.
Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.
I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence.Thank you team!
I recently had Spodek Law Group represent me for a legal matter in NYC and I am thoroughly impressed with their services.Alex Zhik secured the best possible outcome for my case.It was a seamless journey from the initial consultation to the resolution of my legal matter. From the moment I spoke to Todd about my case, his enthusiasm to help was evident, setting a positive tone for the entire experience. The efficiency and professionalism displayed by the team is commendable.A particularly noteworthy aspect of their service is their user-friendly portal to upload your documents/evidence. This not only simplified the process, but showcases their commitment to streamline the client experience.Lastly, in an industry where legal fees can often be a concern, I found their pricing to be very reasonable, making needing legal assistance feel accessible and stress-free.I am grateful for their support and wouldn't hesitate to turn to them again in the future.
Working while collecting unemployment benefits, without mentioning the work in your claim, is another serious issue. Note that it’s not working that is the problem. You’re allowed to take work opportunities while you’re receiving UI benefits. You simply need to note them in your claim on the weeks when you do work so that the Department of Labor can deduct the right amount from your claim that week. Otherwise, it would be an overpayment.
What Happens After an Overpayment?
If the Department of Labor determines that you received more money than you should have, it will send you a notice of the overpayment, which includes information on how you can correct the situation.
At this point, you haven’t been charged with anything. The Department of Labor evaluates the situation to decide whether it feels you intentionally made false statements to receive the overpayment.
If the Department of Labor believes that you didn’t intentionally receive the overpayment, it will require that you pay back the amount you were overpaid.
If the Department of Labor believes that you provided false information to receive an overpayment, it will assess a monetary penalty that you’ll need to pay back along with the amount that you were overpaid. For overpayments of $666.66 and under, you’ll have a monetary penalty of $100. For overpayments above that amount, you’ll have a monetary penalty of 15 percent of your total overpayment.
Although the Department of Labor hasn’t charged you with anything in this situation, it may do so if you fail to pay back the overpayment along with the monetary penalty, if you received one.
If you’re facing a monetary penalty, you can request a hearing. It’s a good idea to consult with an unemployment fraud lawyer regarding your situation, as he can advise you on your case, prepare a defense and even defend you at the hearing. This will give you a better chance of success, since unemployment fraud lawyers are familiar with the system.
Are There More Severe Penalties for Unemployment Fraud?
Depending on the severity of the alleged unemployment fraud, it’s possible that you could be charged in criminal or civil court. In recent years, the state has had a task force designed specifically to fight unemployment fraud.
It’s doubtful that you’ll be charged for one simple overpayment. But if the alleged unemployment fraud occurred over the course of months or years and involves a large amount of money, then you may face other penalties.
The most likely outcome of a guilty verdict is restitution, meaning you pay back what you owe, plus a fine. There is the chance of either jailtime or probation, although the former is unlikely in all but the most serious cases.
Although the state usually focuses on getting its money back, plus a fine, when you’ve received an overpayment, it’s different if your unemployment fraud involved identity theft. This would be the case if the prosecutor alleged that you used someone else’s identity to claim UI benefits.
You could end up with state and federal charges for identity theft, and there’s also the potential for computer fraud charges. This could have major repercussions, including jailtime.
Protecting Yourself with an Unemployment Fraud Lawyer
Whether you’re currently being charged, investigated or you’ve received a notice of overpayment, an unemployment fraud lawyer can help.
It’s in your best interest to be proactive in this type of situation. The sooner you contact a lawyer, the sooner he can start advising you on the correct steps to take and preparing your defense.
Unemployment fraud is a difficult charge to defend yourself against alone. An experienced lawyer will fully understand the system to provide you with the best representation. Your lawyer can defend you in court to fight the charges or talk to the prosecutor to negotiate a plea bargain. Contact a Long Island unemployment fraud lawyer today to get started.
