Le Mars, IA man sentenced for COVID-19 related unemployment fraud

SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - Federal prosecutors say a Le Mars, Iowa, man stole government funds using a COVID-19 unemployment scheme.

This week, a judge sentenced 55-year-old Dennis Chinn to three months in federal prison.

Prosecutors say Chinn received the prison term after a 2020 guilty plea to theft of government funds.

In a plea agreement, Chinn admitted to falsely reporting his income, stating it was $150 per week, so he could get an additional $600 weekly payment. Chinn also admitted to fraudulently obtaining unemployment benefits related to COVID-19 relief funds, to which he was not entitled.

In total, Chinn received more than $13,000 in COVID-19 pandemic CARES Act unemployment funds.