CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Senate Finance Committee approved Monday a measure establishing a fraud unit within WorkForce West Virginia.
Senate Bill 543 would create a division for investigating unemployment fraud and establishing training requirements for employees.
Chris McCauley, WorkForce West Virginia’s director of unemployment, told lawmakers the unit is necessary to address fraudulent cases. The agency has units to address unreported earnings and other matters, and McCauley noted some groups were started to handle claims related to coronavirus relief.
“We’re beginning, under the cross-match unit, to start to investigate unreported earnings from employers and various things like that,” he said.
McCauley noted the legislation would help WorkForce West Virginia submit subpoenas to get documents and financial information of people who submit fraudulent claims. He said state and federal law enforcement agencies are more likely to handle cases if WorkForce West Virginia provides thorough reports to officials.
“We need that law enforcement background, which we currently don’t have, that has that investigative background and the subpoena power to go after some of these individuals,” he said. “We have the ability to do subpoenas now, but we don’t have any leg to stand on with them.”
McCauley said staffing has been approved for the positions. The agency already has two investigators to handle fraud cases.
The Senate Judiciary Committee already approved the measure with changes. The full Senate will next consider the legislation.
