stimulus checks
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An East Texas couple has been charged and indicted with conspiracy to unlawfully transfer, possess, and use a means of identification.

The East Texas couple reportedly stole identities to collect multiple checks provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.

The East Texas couple, Dalton Brewer and Emilee Fenton of Gilmer, both 24-years-old, were indicted by a federal grand jury by Wednesday.

The indictment claims that the East Texas couple stole more than $3, 600 worth of stimulus checks from two victims.

It also said that two conspired from at least November 2019 through 2020 to use other people's identities, including names, Social Security numbers, and dates of birth.

All the victims' information was used to stole government money.

The couple is also facing other charges such as aggravated identity theft, wire fraud, theft of mail, and fraudulent use or possession of identifying information.

Fenton was also charged with theft of government money and aggravated identity theft to get two Economic Impact Payments using the means of identifying other persons.

"It's disheartening to see individuals and communities already facing challenges related to COVID-19 be targeted with crimes like these. Protecting the U.S. Mail and American public are priorities for Postal Inspectors, however. These arrests are a product of that commitment," Ketty Larco, Acting Inspector in charge of the Fort Worth Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, was quoted in a report.

If found guilty, the East Texas couple could face up to 15 years in federal prison.

The case is being handled by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel C. Kummerfeld is prosecuting the case.

The CARES Act was passed in March to give financial assistance to the millions of Americans affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Congress has passed more than $2 trillion in relief programs, with around $560 billion for benefits to individuals.

Around $300 billion was allocated for EIPs.

Texas Unemployment Aid

The Texas Workforce Commission said on Aug. 10 that it is seeking guidance from the Labor Department on how to proceed with the implementation of the unemployment aid.

However, there is still a lot of confusion over the Texas unemployment relief since President Donald Trump took executive action in early August.

The executive order announced an extra $400 weekly payment.

Unemployed Texans are still unsure if they will receive the money. The confusion remains as the state and federal governments have not said when or whether they will be available in Texas.

The Texas Workforce Commission has not yet responded to jobless Texans, waiting for unemployment benefits.

Spokesperson Cisco Gamez said in a statement on Wednesday that the agency is waiting on further guidance from the Labor Department.

Cisco added that they would provide additional information once it is available.

A total of 3.2 million Texans have filed for unemployment aid since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Recently, 51,476 Texans filed for unemployment relief.

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