Four arrested in Operation Payback unemployment fraud investigation

Four people are accused of using stolen identities of Mississippi inmates to fraudulently collect unemployment benefits.

State Auditor Shad White says Felisa Suggs, Nathanial Cole, P’Trance Fields, and Kavisia Blaylock have been arrested as part of ‘Operation Payback.’

Investigators say Coleman and Fields allegedly used the identities of other inmates while incarcerated to file fraudulent unemployment claims.

Suggs and Blaylock are accused of using Cash App and bank accounts to launder the money.

Operation Payback is aimed at recovering fraudulent pandemic-era unemployment payments.

Each suspect faces up to 40 years in prison and $35,000 in fines if convicted.