Albany woman admits to getting fraudulent pandemic benefits

An Albany woman has admitted to getting more than $150,000 of fraudulent unemployment benefits.

Niesha Goodwin, 37, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court on Wednesday to mail fraud and aggravated identity theft.

Goodwin said that from July 2020 through March 2021, she applied for pandemic-related benefits in the names of five other people using stolen personal identifying information, the U.S. Attorney’s office said.

She also admitted to having crack cocaine and a loaded 9mm gun in her home, according to prosecutors.

Goodwin has a previous robbery conviction and was not allowed to have a gun.

She faces up to 2 years in prison when sentenced on June 12. 

She also agreed to pay $151,783 in restitution to the New York State Department of Labor.