New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) have announced that 10 people – including two Voorhees residents – have been indicted for allegedly defrauding the COVID unemployment benefits system.
The indictments were filed in March of 2025 and highlight ongoing efforts to prosecute fraudulent claims that siphoned federal COVID funds intended for those in genuine need.
“Unemployment benefits exist to support workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own,” Platkin said. “Stealing these funds is a serious offense, and we will continue to hold perpetrators accountable, especially when they exploit positions of trust within government agencies.”
Among those charged is Vanessa Allen of East Orange, a former temporary clerk at the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOL). Prosecutors allege she used her position to illegally collect $56,030 in benefits while making unauthorized entries into state databases. Allen faces multiple charges, including official misconduct, theft by deception and computer theft.
Three others charged – Jeffson Cues of Newark, Nerlande Etienne of Irvington and Rose Allen of East Orange – allegedly obtained thousands in fraudalent unemployment benefits.
The indictments also targeted business-related COVID fraud schemes. Township residents Daezonae Cabbagestalk and Durrell Jenkins are alleged to have filed fraudulent claims for Economic Impact Disaster and Paycheck Protection loans of more than $75,000 each. Prosecutors say the two engaged in money laundering, forgery, and tax fraud.
Other individuals facing charges include one Camden County resident and another from Gloucester County:
- Selene Williams of Woodbridge, accused of collecting benefits from March 2020 to June 2022.
- Virginia Smith of Clementon, accused of collecting benefits from April 2020 to January 2022.
- Paul Huber of Pitman, accused of collecting benefits from February 2020 to August 2021.
- Brian Korygoski of Sayreville, accused of collecting benefits over a three-year period.
Second-degree charges in the indictments could result in five to 10 years in prison and fines up to $150,000. Third-degree charges carry penalties of three to five years in prison and fines up to $15,000.
DCJ Director Theresa L. Hilton emphasized that fraud investigations are ongoing.
“Even five years after the pandemic began, we are still uncovering cases of fraud and abuse,” she explained. “We will continue to pursue those who sought to enrich themselves at the expense of legitimate beneficiaries.”
