A Connecticut-based roofing contractor has been arrested and charged with illegally collecting more than $26,000 in unemployment compensation benefits.
According to a release from the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice, Flor Hiram Santiago, 43, of Washington Street, New Britain, was charged last month with one count each of unemployment overpayment and larceny in the first degree.
The arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by the Statewide Prosecution Bureau’s Unemployment Compensation Fraud Unit in the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney following a complaint by the Connecticut Department of Labor.
According to the arrest warrant affidavit, Santiago fraudulently collected $26,215 in unemployment benefits from April 25, 2020 to April 17, 2021. Santiago was earning weekly wages at a local roofing company during that time period and failed to report his wages while he was collecting the unemployment benefits.
Santiago was released on a $25,000 surety bond and was scheduled to appear in New Britain Superior Court, G.A. No. 15, on Oct. 25, 2023. The charges are accusations and he is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney Kelly Davis of the Statewide Prosecution Bureau.
