by Carly Moran
Nine Michiganders face chargers of unemployment insurance fraud and operating as unlicensed builders in a sweep that involved the attorney general’s office, along with several local agencies.
The Michigan Department of the Attorney General, alongside the Detroit Police Department and other law enforcement agencies arrested nine on charges of operating as unlicensed builders and unemployment insurance fraud.
The sweep involved officers from the police departments of Detroit, Lansing and Muskegon, as well as deputies from Lapeer, Macomb, and Muskegon sheriff’s departments. Investigations were also conducted in Ingham, Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Mecosta, Oakland, Roscommon, Saginaw and Wayne counties.
“I’m thankful to the many law enforcement agencies and officers who made this successful sweep possible, along with the special agents from my department,” Attorney General Dana Nessel said. “When fraudsters and bad actors harm consumers and Michigan residents, we will pursue justice however and wherever needed.”
Michael Hill, 66, of Houghton Lake; Miroslav Matieska, 49, of Hamtramck; Robert Mills, 50, of Romulus; and Jimmie Turner Jr., 69, of Berkley were all arrested for operating as unlicensed builders.
Investigations were based upon client complaints to the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, alleging substandard work performance and no proof of licensing.
Nessel reported a rapid increase in unlicensed builders since 2020, with more than 200 misdemeanor cases filed in 2022 alone. As of Nov. 1, about 51 people in Michigan have been sentenced for unemployment fraud or identity theft this year.
Those arrested include Darrell Kendrick, 65, of Detroit; Maurice Mills, 45, of Inskter; Eddie Mosely, 54, of Auburn Hills; Patrice Nolden, 51, of Eastpointe; and Tanya Parker, 48, of Detroit.
According to the Michigan Office of Labor and Economic Opportunity, unemployment insurance fraud can include working while collecting benefits, identity theft, supplying false information such as not disclosing severance pay or lying about efforts to find employment.
Court dates have not been set, and some charged have not been arrested yet. The defendants were given bond and notice to appear in local courts.
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Carly Moran is a contributor to The Center Square.
