Troy man admits to role in false benefits scheme

By WNYT

A Troy man pleaded guilty last week in a scheme to fraudulently obtain COVID-19 benefits.

Todd Ward, 45, admitted in U.S. District Court that that he provided Carl J. DiVeglia III with the personal identifying information of another person to file a false claim with the state Department of Labor. This resulted in the payment of $152,086 in unemployment benefits, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

DiVeglia previously pleaded guilty to obtaining $1.6 million in unemployment insurance benefits as part of the scheme.

Ward faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 when sentenced on Nov. 14.

Three co-defendants in the case – his brother Christopher Ward, Rocco Resciniti and Jermaine Myers have all pleaded guilty to related charges.