North Mississippi Woman Sentenced in Unemployment Benefits Fraud Case

Oxford, MS – A Plantersville woman was sentenced today to more than two years in prison for submitting a fraudulent unemployment benefits application to the Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES) in the name of a relative who was incarcerated in the Mississippi Department of Corrections.

According to court documents, Misty Burgess, 49, received more than $15,000 of unemployment benefits that she was not entitled to as a result of her fraudulent unemployment claims. Burgess, who was originally charged with theft of government property and wire fraud, pled guilty to theft of government property on May 16, 2024.

On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Michael P. Mills sentenced Burgess to 27 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release and ordered her to pay restitution in the amount of $15,604.00 to the State of Mississippi. The unemployment benefits fraudulently received by Burgess were a part of those benefits issued under the CARES Act from the State of Mississippi and the federal government as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Today’s sentence is an important step in ensuring that individuals who make fraudulent claims to government funds that they are not entitled to will be held accountable for their actions,” remarked U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner.

Following the sentencing, Mississippi State Auditor Shad White commented “We will continue working with our federal partners, as we’ve done since the beginning of my time in office, to get results for the people of Mississippi.”

Investigator Chris Watkins from the Mississippi State Auditor’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Feleica Wilson prosecuted the case.