by Sacramento, CA — Federal prosecutors say a New Hampshire resident has been indicted for a sweeping unemployment fraud scheme that siphoned more than $700,000 from California’s Employment Development Department (EDD) at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Authorities allege the operation exploited emergency federal relief programs during one of the nation’s most vulnerable periods.
Federal Grand Jury Hands Down 10-Count Indictment
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California, a federal grand jury indicted 40-year-old Anthony Mark Silva on nine counts of bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. Prosecutors say the crimes were committed between July 2020 and June 2021, when California and other states were overwhelmed by record-breaking unemployment claims.
Court documents reveal that Silva allegedly collected personal identifying information from numerous individuals—including names, birth dates and Social Security numbers—and used it to file dozens of fraudulent unemployment insurance claims through the California EDD.
Alleged Use of Pandemic Programs
Silva’s applications reportedly sought benefits under multiple federal pandemic relief initiatives, including Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) created by the CARES Act. This program was intended to support gig workers, contractors, and self-employed individuals who were impacted by COVID-19 shutdowns.
Prosecutors say Silva falsely claimed that each individual had recently become unemployed or unable to find work due to the pandemic. In reality, many of them were not unemployed, were ineligible for benefits, or had no knowledge that their information was being used.
“Silva submitted dozens of fraudulent claims using stolen identities and siphoned off hundreds of thousands of dollars intended for pandemic relief,” prosecutors said in the announcement.
Debit Cards Loaded With Public Funds
After the applications were approved, the EDD issued Bank of America unemployment debit cards, which were then mailed out and allegedly used by Silva. Prosecutors assert that he spent the benefits on himself, drawing funds from ATMs, making purchases, and conducting transactions across multiple states.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office calculates the total loss from the scheme at over $700,000, affecting both California taxpayers and the federal government. The case joins a long list of pandemic-era fraud investigations as authorities across the country continue to prosecute large-scale benefit theft.
Identity Theft Charge Adds Mandatory Prison Time
If convicted on all counts, Silva faces severe penalties. Each bank fraud charge carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison and a $1 million fine. Additionally, the aggravated identity theft charge brings a mandatory two-year prison term, which must be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed.
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Aggravated identity theft penalties reflect Congress’s push to deter schemes involving stolen personal information—especially those that undermine emergency aid programs.
Federal prosecutors continue to bring similar cases nationwide as agencies work through tens of thousands of questionable or fraudulent claims filed during the pandemic.
Continuing Scrutiny of EDD Fraud
California’s EDD faced unprecedented pressure during the pandemic, processing more than $180 billion in claims in a short period. Officials have acknowledged that the rush to deliver benefits quickly left the system vulnerable to exploitation. Since then, state and federal investigators have issued dozens of indictments involving identity theft, international fraud rings, and insider schemes.
In many of those cases, fraudsters used stolen or purchased identities—sometimes belonging to prisoners, deceased individuals, or people living in other states—to file claims through the overwhelmed system.
Silva’s case stands out for the alleged scale of losses and the number of identities involved. Prosecutors emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and additional charges or defendants could emerge.
What Comes Next
Silva will face arraignment in federal court, where he will enter a plea and potentially request pretrial release. If the case proceeds to trial, prosecutors will present evidence including digital activity, unemployment claim records, debit card transaction data, and testimony from identity theft victims.
Federal agencies continue urging the public to monitor financial accounts, secure sensitive personal information, and report suspicious activity that may indicate identity theft or misuse of benefits.
For more updates on major federal cases and ongoing crime investigations, visit mikeandjonpodcast.com.
