(Cleveland, OH) – State Rep. Diane Grendell (R-Chesterland) has introduced her legislation that will investigate the widespread unemployment fraud claims across the state. Reports have cited over $330 million paid out in fraudulent unemployment claims in Ohio.
“The enormous amount of claims that have been filed has left ODJFS struggling to keep up,” said Grendell. “Due to the lack of pace, we’ve had individuals taking advantage of this broken system we’ve seen over the last year. This is another ramification our state is sadly facing due to the fallout of COVID-19 and I will work to fix it.”
Grendell’s legislation seeks to create a joint committee with members of the Ohio House and Senate that will be tasked with investigating groups and individuals who obtained or assisted others with receiving unemployment compensation through fraudulent misrepresentation.
The joint committee will also be granted authority to subpoena witnesses and will report their findings 180 days after the committee’s creation.
The legislation has received 12 cosponsors. It now awaits committee assignment where it will begin its hearings in the Ohio House.
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State Representative Diane Grendell is currently serving her fifth term in the Ohio House of Representatives. She represents the 76th Ohio House District, which includes most of Geauga and northern Portage counties.
For more information, please contact the office at Rep76@ohiohouse.gov or 614-644-5088.
(Copyright, iHeartMedia, 2021 Photo Courtesy: Ohio)