LOS ANGELES – A Lancaster man was sentenced Monday to 80 months in federal prison for a scheme to defraud the state’s unemployment insurance program and a related scam to obtain fraudulent federal tax refunds.
Carl Artis, 55, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge George Wu, who also ordered the defendant to pay $598,000 in restitution.
Artis pleaded guilty in February in Los Angeles to federal counts of mail fraud and making false claims against the United States government.
From at least August 2010 through August 2014, Artis operated a scheme to defraud the California Employment Development Department of unemployment insurance benefits, according to the plea agreement.
To execute the scheme, Artis registered fictitious companies with the EDD, submitted false wage information for individuals whom he falsely claimed worked for those companies, and then fraudulently applied for and obtained unemployment insurance benefits in the names of these individuals, according to federal prosecutors.
In addition, from at least April 2011 until July 2013, Artis engaged in a scheme to defraud the Internal Revenue Service by submitting fraudulent tax returns that sought tax refunds. In the tax fraud scheme, Artis used the identities of many of the same individuals and businesses used in the EDD scheme, prosecutors said.
Artis, who had served time in the California state prison system, used names of other prisoners to file the false claims with the EDD and the IRS, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
“Today’s sentencing highlights that EDD has zero tolerance for fraud against the Unemployment Insurance Program,” said EDD Director Patrick W. Henning Jr. “I applaud EDD’s Investigation Division, the U.S. Attorney, and our other law enforcement partners for protecting taxpayers, businesses and unemployed Californians.”
Previous related story: Lancaster man pleads guilty in tax scheme
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Turd Ferguson says
What about the people of Lancaster.What about the people of Lancaster?We have been defrauded by LEAPS.We have been defrauded by LEAPS.At a cost of $90,000.00 am month.At a cost of $90,000.00 a month.Paid by the tax payer.Paid by the tax payer.For ten years.For ten years.That is $10,800,000.00.That is $10,800,000.00.For what.For what.To catch a Wal-Mart shoplifter.To catch a Wal-Mart shoplifter.To catch a laser pointer.To catch a laser pointer.That is it.That is it.What a waste of tax dollars.What a waste of tax dollars.Where are the fiscal conservatives in Lancaster?Where are the fiscal conservatives in Lancaster?They own LEAPS.They own LEAPS.They make easy money.They make easy money.They are supporters of Rex.They are supporters of Rex.LEAPS is a scam.LEAPS is a scam.No to LEAPS.No to LEAPS.We need more Sherriffs.We need more Sherriffs.More boots on the ground.More boots on the ground.No to LEAPS.No to LEAPS.
HEMi says
Just to let you in on a lil bit of inside news about leaps, its no joke you have no idea what leaps is do you!….VERY LIKELY ,Not considering your comment. When ever this program reaches maturity they won’t need patrol just retrieval……
AV Truth says
Here’s the real scoop….LEAPS is a complete waste of money. Not one other agency is stupid enough to pay for it other than Lancaster. The only reason Lancaster does is because it puts money in the pocket of one of Rex’s political supporters. LEAPS is a joke. The program will never “reach maturity” because it was dead on arrival. You have to be pretty dull to believe in LEAPS or pretty tied into it financially. Surely one other agency would jump all over such amazing “crime fighting” technology, right? Not a chance. Outside of Lancaster, people are actually pretty intelligent.
William says
Hasn’t Palmdale’s crime rate been consistently lower than Lancaster’s for years without a spy plane?
I wonder why. The cities are roughly the same size and have similar demographics I suppose.
rex is such a great role model for his city with his unquestionable integrity and …………………… my computer crashed after writing that. Oh, well.
I’ve lived in the AV since 1990 and can’t for the life of me figure out why Lancaster residents have put up with the good ol’ boys ineptness for all these years even before rex became mayor and his putting the icing on the cow pie.
I think that nearly every measure between the 2 cities favors Palmdale over Lancaster; home values, unemployment, crime rates, desirable businesses, shopping, dining, etc., etc.
I don’t know if the residents of each city have ever been surveyed but I’ll bet Palmdale residents are more satisfied with their city and its leadership and governance than Lancaster’s. Anyone know of anything different than what I’ve stated so far?
Turd Ferguson says
Lancaster has LEAPS.Lancaster has LEAPS.No one else does.No one else does.That is because Lancaster in innovative.That is because Lancaster in innovative.That is because Lancaster is cutting edge.That is because Lancaster is cutting edge.That is because Lancaster leads the way in low crime.That is because Lancaster leads the way in low crime.That is BS.That is BS.No one has LEAPS because no one is as dumb.No one has LEAPS because no one is as dumb.No one is as corrupt.No one is as corrupt.LEAPS is a flying turd.LEAPS is a flying turd.No to LEAPS.No to LEAPS.No to $10,800,000.00 to Rex’s friends.No to $10,800,000.00 to Rex’s friends.Who else is stupid enough to pay for LEAPS?Who else is stupid enough to pay for LEAPS.No one.No one.
What the heck?? says
Why did you repeat every sentence in your post?
Tim Scott says
It’s a subtle commentary on the fact that LEAPS is totally redundant. Everything it can do, the LASD helicopter was already doing. Other than dumping money back into the pocket of the guy who owns the company that makes it, of course…who is coincidentally a crony and political supporter of the mayor of the only city on the planet that has invested in LEAPS.
Turd Ferguson says
You are correct Tim Scott.You are correct Tim Scott.