BOSTON — A Dudley man was arrested Tuesday in connection with his alleged involvement in a scheme to fraudulently obtain and misuse COVID-19-related unemployment assistance.
Norman Higgs, 34, was charged in a criminal complaint with bank fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, theft of government property and money laundering.
Higgs made his initial appearance in Boston Tuesday afternoon before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Judith G. Dein and was released on conditions.
According to the charging documents, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) created a temporary federal unemployment insurance program called Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA).
PUA, administered by the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance, provides unemployment insurance benefits for individuals who are not eligible for other types of unemployment benefits, such as the self-employed, independent contractors or gig economy workers.