Woman charged with false unemployment claims totaling nearly $8,000

A Libby woman has filed to continue to her pre-trial conference until November, in a case where she is accused of receiving almost $8,000 in false unemployment benefits.

Jessica Diller, 36, of Libby, is charged with theft after the State Department of Unemployment Insurance sent her a fraud determination letter in 2013, finding that she had illegally received $7,854 in overpayments of unemployment benefits. Including the 33 percent penalty cost of overdrawing unemployment benefits, Diller reportedly owes the Unemployment Insurance division a total $10,445.82.

In the lawsuit against Diller, the state alleges that she submitted false claims to the state agency between Jan. 12 and July 20 in 2013. The allegations include false submissions to federal and state unemployment trust fund by using an internet-based filing system. According to court documents, Diller reported working 324 hours during that timeline in question and received approximately $5,469 in wages. Project Resources Inc., Diller’s employer, reported that during that time she worked 1,067 hours and received $22,890 in wages.

Diller collected $9,086 by filing the alleged false unemployment insurance claims, while the state alleges that she was entitled to only $1,232, meaning she illegally claimed $7,854. According to court documents, the Unemployment Division has not collected any money owed by Diller.

Diller’s next hearing is set for November 28. If convicted, she could face 10 years in Montana state prison and a $50,000 maximum fine.

Reporter Seaborn Larson may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at slarson@dailyinterlake.com.