Hicksville Man Charged With Stealing Unemployment Benefits

A Hicksville man has been charged with stealing more than $5,000 in taxpayer money by lying about his job at the United States Postal Service to collect unemployment benefits.

Frank Holden, 39, was arrested this morning by district attorney investigators and charged with third-degree grand larceny,Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice announced Tuesday. He faces up to seven years in prison if convicted. He was released on his own recognizance and is due back in court Dec. 17.

Rice said that between October 2010 and September 2011, Holden collected unemployment insurance benefits from the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL), verifying with the department that he was not working on a weekly basis.

Between November 2010 and February 2011 and again between August 2011 and October 2011, however, Holden worked full-time for the United States Postal Service as a seasonal mail carrier earning more than $21 per hour. While working for the Postal Service, Holden stole $5,062 in undeserved unemployment insurance benefits, Rice said.

The case was referred to the DA’s Office by the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General and the NYSDOL. Holden used the stolen money to pay his rent and other personal expenses.

“This defendant was fortunate enough to be employed at a time when so many hard-working people are still looking for work,” Rice said. “For him to then steal taxpayer money by lying about his employment status is a slap in the face to every person who truly deserves these benefits.”

Assistant District Attorney Edward Bradley of the Government & Consumer Frauds Bureau is prosecuting the case. Holden is represented by Brian Duffy.