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Mother and son break all records with $1.1 million US scam!
Mother and son defraud US government of $1.1 million through fraudulent post-Covid unemployment insurance claims.
Mother and son break all records with $1.1 million US scam!
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced the arrest of a mother and son allegedly involved in a wide-ranging Covid-related fraud case. Yolanda Butler, 49 years old, was arrested in Oklahoma, while Legerrius Holt, 28 years old, was arrested in Colorado. Quamaine Massey, 33, was also taken into custody in Ohio. All three defendants are charged with mail fraud, with Butler and Holt also facing charges of aggravated identity theft.
The investigation revealed that the defendants obtained personally identifiable information (PII) from dozens of individuals. Using this information, at least 69 different applications for unemployment insurance benefits were submitted, many of which were approved by the California Employment Development Department (EDD). The fraudsters received the approved funds in the form of prepaid debit cards sent to addresses they controlled. After receiving the cards, they used the money for personal expenses, causing approximately $1.1 million in damages to the U.S. government.
Serious allegations and possible penalties
The allegations of fraud are serious. If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years in prison for mail fraud. Butler and Holt could also face up to two additional years behind bars on the aggravated identity theft charge. The exact purpose of the stolen sums remains unclear.
The incidents are part of a larger trend in which numerous fraud cases related to Covid relief programs have been uncovered. In August 2025, an investigation into a fraud case totaling $17 million was completed. This case involved thousands of unlawful claims made during the pandemic. Also that same month, Malcolm Jeffery, a 34-year-old, was convicted along with his accomplices of stealing $16 million from the Georgia Department of Labor (GaDOL). These funds were originally intended to support the unemployed during the Covid pandemic.
Government investigations show that fraud cases continue to rise in the wake of the pandemic, and law enforcement is working hard to hold those responsible accountable. The DOJ and other agencies are committed to stopping such criminal activity and recovering the affected funds.