Bridgeport Woman Charged With Unemployment Compensation Fraud

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- A Bridgeport woman has been arrested on charges of illegally collecting thousands of dollars in unemployment benefits, police said this week.

Bridgeport police have arrested a local woman on larceny charges in connection with the alleged theft of unemployment benefits.
Photo Credit: *File*

Carol Reif

01/14/2016 4:00 p.m.

Paula A. Perez, 31, was charged with first-degree larceny by defrauding a public community, a felony, and unemployment compensation fraud, police said.

The arrest is the result of an investigation by the Unemployment Compensation Fraud Unit in the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney following a complaint by the Connecticut Department of Labor.

According to authorities, Perez fraudulently collected about $7,103 in unemployment benefits from April through August 2013 when she was, in fact, working at a Westport dental practice.

Perez was released on a $10,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in New Britain Superior Court on Thursday, Jan. 21.

A conviction for first-degree larceny carries fines of up to $15,000 and a potential prison sentence of 20 years.

Unemployment compensation fraud in excess of $500 is a Class D felony punishable by up to five years in prison and up to a $5,000 fine, police said.

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