Inmate Pleads Guilty in Pandemic Fraud Case

(MNN) A federal inmate accused of working with other Metro Detroiters to fraudulently collect unemployment benefits during the pandemic has pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges.

Investigators say 33-year-old Cortney Shields committed wire fraud when he and three others submitted more than 240 fraudulent claims for more than $2.2 million in benefits. Shields is also accused of obtaining more than $20,000 from a fraudulent loan through the Paycheck Protection Program. As part of his plea, Shields agreed to give up more than $26,000 from his commissary account where the money was wired.