MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Two people face multiple counts of wire fraud after federal prosecutors allege they collected nearly $30,000 in COVID-19-related benefits.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Amanda Kincell, 42, of Fairview, and Casey Fike, 39, of Morgantown, worked at DeVito Dental in Morgantown. After the dental office had to temporarily close due to the pandemic, the two filed for unemployment in March of 2020. In May of that year, they returned to a regular work schedule at the office but continued to request and receive unemployment benefits.
Kincell is being indicted for accepting over 40 payments totaling $18,350. Fike allegedly accepted over 20 payments totaling $10,388.
Kincell faces eleven counts of wire fraud and Fike faces six counts, each one having a penalty of up to 20 years in prison.
If they are convicted, a federal district court judge will determine their sentence. The case is being investigated by Workforce West Virginia.
United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld said that they are continuing to look over the fraudulent case.
“We continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to methodically review every instance where COVID fraud is suspected, whether it’s related to unemployment benefits, paycheck protection loans, or economic injury disaster loans,” Ihlenfeld said, adding that their office appreciates tips from the public.
People aware of Covid-19 fraud should report it via email to wvfraud@fbi.gov, by telephone to (304)-234-0100, or through the mail to the U.S Attorney, P.O Box 591, Wheeling, WV 26003, Attn: COVID Fraud Unit.