Three Georgians Sentenced for Unemployment Fraud

Three Georgia residents have been sentenced for their roles in a $30 million COVID-19 unemployment fraud scheme that exploited stolen identities and fake employer accounts.

The scheme operated from March 2020 to November 2022, during which the group filed over 5,000 fraudulent unemployment insurance claims by creating fake employers and using stolen personal information to pose as employees. The stolen benefits were distributed through prepaid debit cards mailed to various addresses.

The three Georgians received prison sentences ranging from one to 15 years. All of them have been ordered to pay restitution and go on three years of supervised release after serving their prison sentences.

This case is among several large-scale fraud prosecutions stemming from the pandemic that the DOJ has discovered through its COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force. The Government Accountability Office estimates that COVID-era unemployment fraud ranges from $100 billion to $135 billion.

  Mayor Charged With Trespassing

South Fulton Mayor Khalid Kamau has been formally charged with misdemeanor criminal trespassing in connection with a July 2023 arrest where he entered a privately owned lake house on Cascade Palmetto Highway without permission.

According to police reports, the homeowner confronted Kamau and held him at gunpoint until police arrived. Kamau was arrested and released later that day on a $11,000 bond.

Kamau later told officers that he believed the house was abandoned, referred to it as his “dream home,” and admitted he knew he was trespassing.

If convicted, Kamau faces up to one year in jail, probation, or a fine of up to $1,000. He was also facing a felony burglary charge for the incident, but that was dropped.

The indictment comes a month after the mayor announced he would not seek re-election.

Tenants Protest Apartment Demolition

Residents of the Campus Edge Apartments near Kennesaw State University (KSU) in Marietta are protesting redevelopment plans by new management, Campus Realty Advisors (CRA), to terminate all leases by the end of July 2025 and demolish the complex.

The proposed plan aims to tear down the current complex to make room for new student housing, potentially displacing approximately 200 tenants, some of whom are KSU students.

Many residents said they have yet to receive a formal notice and that the potential displacement could be problematic, primarily because the complex is cheaper compared to other housing options in the area.

In response, tenants have organized rallies demanding that Campus Realty Advisors halt the demolition, address maintenance issues, and provide greater transparency moving forward.

As of Friday, CRA has not provided a statement explaining the redevelopment rationale or plans for relocation assistance.

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➤ Macon: Two local men were arrested for breaking into the Jones County Animal Shelter to retrieve their dog that was scheduled for euthanasia due to a prior biting incident. (More)

➤ Savannah: A Volkswagen dealership caught fire Friday morning following reports of a possible explosion and structural collapse. (See Video)

➤ Alpharetta: A $50 million road widening project on State Road 9/Main Street, initially slated for completion in spring 2024, has been delayed until August 2026 due to utility relocation issues and design changes. (More)

➤ Roswell: Residents of The Lake House at Martin’s Landing are growing impatient after enduring three days without running water due to two water main breaks. (More)

➤ Statewide: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasts an above-average 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, predicting six to 10 hurricanes. (See Details)

➤ Marietta: A former assistant director at the Marietta Regional Youth Detention Center was arrested and charged with first-degree cruelty to children after allegedly assaulting a handcuffed 14-year-old inmate. (More)

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➤ Atlanta Braves superstar Ronald Acuna Jr. returned to the team’s lineup on Friday after missing nearly a year with a torn ACL. (More)

➤ The Georgia Bulldogs softball team lost 1-6 to Florida in Game 1 of the NCAA Super Regionals after going hitless through five innings. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Dream unveiled their new court design at their home opener earlier this week, which features “Pay Some Respect to Women’s Sports” painted on the mid court line. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s results: MLB | NBA | WNBA | NHL | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer | PGA | LPGA

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➤ Two orphaned bear cubs were safely captured in Pickens County by wildlife officials after their mother was illegally killed by a homeowner in the north Georgia mountains. (More)

➤ The 48th annual Atlanta Jazz Festival begins today at Piedmont Park. The three-day event will feature free performances from a handful of acclaimed artists, including Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Marsha Ambrosius. (More)

➤ Lake Lanier has been ranked among the top 10 boating destinations in the nation for Memorial Day, according to BoatBooker. (See List)

Will you attend any Memorial Day events?

1. Yes
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Yesterday’s Results:

Have you ever driven a Mercedes-Benz?

1. Yes: 47%
2. No: 53%

Where can you find what is claimed to be the largest permanent collection of Bigfoot footprint casts in the U.S.?

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