A Forrest County brother and sister have been sentenced in federal court for their involvement in an unemployment insurance fraud scheme linked to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Thaddieus Cooper, aged 31, received a 27-month prison sentence, while his sister Artista Garner, aged 37, was sentenced to three years of probation. Both were ordered to repay $12,600 to the Mississippi Department of Employment Security.
Court documents reveal that Garner assisted her incarcerated brother in applying for unemployment benefits with the Mississippi Department of Employment Security. Cooper was serving a six-year sentence for armed robbery and was not eligible for such benefits. Garner reportedly used some of these funds for personal expenses and transferred others to Cooper’s commissary account.
The unemployment benefits involved were federally subsidized through the CARES Act during the pandemic. A federal grand jury indicted both siblings on September 10, 2024. They pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud on January 30, 2025.
“These sentences demonstrate that those who defraud the government will be held accountable,” stated Acting United States Attorney Patrick Lemon. He emphasized that they exploited a program designed to aid families during challenging times.
Mathew Broadhurst from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General noted: “Artista Garner engaged in a scheme to defraud… by filing for unemployment insurance benefits on behalf of co-defendant Thaddieus Cooper.” He reiterated their commitment to protect the integrity of labor programs.
State Auditor Shad White expressed pride in working with federal prosecutors: “Thank you to my team of investigators and to the prosecutors for bringing this case to a close.”
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General and the Mississippi Office of the State Auditor. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Purdie prosecuted the case as part of the National Unemployment Insurance Fraud Task Force (NUIFTF), which addresses UI fraud nationwide.
The CARES Act, enacted on March 29, 2020, aims to provide financial relief amid COVID-19’s economic impact by expanding unemployment insurance eligibility.
Reports about attempted COVID-19 related fraud can be made via phone or online through designated channels provided by authorities.
