U.S. District Court indicts Marion County woman for coronavirus fraud

March 7 – MORGANTOWN – A federal grand jury indicted two dental office employees for fraudulently collecting nearly $30,000 in COVID-related unemployment benefits.

Amanda J. Kinsell, 42, of Fairview, and Casey Fike, 39, of Morgantown, were indicted Tuesday by a federal grand jury on multiple counts of wire fraud.

According to the indictments, Kincell and Fike filed for unemployment in March 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic forced DeVito Dental’s Morgantown office to temporarily close. In May 2020, Kincell and Fike returned to regular business hours at Devito but continued to claim and receive unemployment benefits.

Kincell is accused of improperly accepting more than 40 payments totaling $18,350. Faik is said to have accepted more than 20 improper payments totaling $10,388.

Kincell faces 11 wire fraud charges and Fike faces six counts. Each count carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison. If convicted, a federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

WorkForce West Virginia investigated both cases. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Conklin handles cases on behalf of the government.

“We continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to methodically address every case of suspected COVID fraud, whether it be unemployment benefits, paycheck protection loans, or economic injury loans,” U.S. Attorney William Ehlenfeld said in a press release. release. “I appreciate the advice given by the public and encourage them to keep giving.”

Anyone with knowledge of COVID fraud should report it by email [email protected], by phone at 304-234-0100, or by regular mail to the U.S. Attorney, PO Box 591, Wheeling, WV 26003, Attn: COVID Fraud Unit .

An indictment is just a statement, and each accused is presumed innocent until proven beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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