Ripley Co. Man Collected Unemployment Benefits While Working

The Indiana Department of Workforce determined a local man actually had a job while collecting about $6,500 in unemployment benefits.

(Indianapolis, Ind.) – Working for a paycheck while at the same time receiving unemployment benefits has earned a Ripley County man probation.

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development says Christopher Bushhorn, 40, of Osgood, pleaded guilty to unemployment insurance fraud in Marion County Superior Court on Friday, February 22.

A DWD employee investigated Bushhorn, determining that he was working and receiving wages while receiving unemployment insurance benefits.

Bushhorn was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to repay about $6,500 to the DWD for the benefits he fraudulently collected.

Since 2013, Indiana courts have ordered fraudsters to repay millions in restitution to the state’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund.

“Combating fraud preserves employer-paid monies in the trust fund for those individuals whom are truly in need of unemployment insurance benefits,” said Regina Ashley, the DWD’s Chief Unemployment Insurance and Workforce Solutions Officer.

Citizens can help combat unemployment insurance fraud and abuse by reporting it online at www.in.gov/dwd/fraud. Tipsters do not need to provide a name or identifying information in order to file a complaint.