Prosecutor: NJ prisoners collected unemployment

TRENTON (WPVI) -- A number of prison inmates and some spouses are accused of theft for collecting unemployment while behind bars.

Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman announced the indictments against the eight suspects, including five inmates and three spouses.

They are accused of allegedly stealing about $100,000 in unemployment insurance benefits.

Hoffman said the suspects were caught thanks to a routine cross-check of state unemployment insurance lists against rosters of county jail inmates.

"These defendants stole from a program that serves as a financial safety net for New Jersey workers," Hoffman said in a statement. "Unemployment insurance benefits are intended to help workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own, not to provide a free paycheck to criminals while they sit in jail after breaking our laws."

Each suspect is charged with third-degree theft by deception, which carries a potential sentence of three to five years in state prison and a criminal fine of up to $15,000 upon conviction.

Most of the prisoners were serving jail terms for DUI.

The suspects were identified by the New Jersey Attorney General's Office as:

Kurt Ohlson, 52, of Sweetwater, and his ex-wife, Donna Ohlson, 48, of Mays Landing, were indicted on June 9th. It is alleged that from Aug. 18, 2009 to June 17, 2010, they fraudulently collected $25,696 in unemployment insurance benefits for Kurt Ohlson, while he was serving a sentence for driving while intoxicated in the Atlantic County Jail. Donna Ohlson allegedly assisted with the false certifications, and she collected the benefits with her ex-husband.

Nado Shaw, 34, of Southampton, was indicted on May 16. It is alleged that from Aug. 28, 2009 to May 28, 2010, Shaw collected $20,475 in unemployment insurance benefits while serving a sentence for aggravated assault with a weapon in the Burlington County Jail.

Russell Garrett, 35, of Cinnaminson, was indicted on May 16. It is alleged that from Aug. 20, 2009 to Feb. 3, 2010, Garrett collected $12,848 in unemployment insurance benefits while serving a sentence for driving while intoxicated in the Burlington County Jail.

Edward T. Soto, 34, and his wife, Jessica M. Soto, 32, of Bayville, were indicted yesterday, June 9. It is alleged that from Sept. 30 2009 to March 28, 2010, they fraudulently collected $14,404 in unemployment insurance benefits for Edward Soto, while he was serving a sentence for driving while intoxicated in the Ocean County Jail. Jessica Soto allegedly assisted with the false certifications, and she allegedly collected the benefits with her husband.

Theodore Campbell, 59, and Diana Campbell, 57, of Beachwood, were indicted on May 16. It is alleged that from Feb. 11, 2009 to Feb. 5, 2010, they fraudulently collected $28,392 in unemployment insurance benefits for Theodore Campbell, while he was serving a sentence for driving while intoxicated in the Ocean County Jail. Diana Campbell allegedly assisted with the false certifications, and she collected the benefits with her husband.