A jury found a New York man guilty of using stolen identities to steal COVID unemployment funds — then spending the cash on luxury travel and a Rolex.
Aly Kaba, 30, of New Rochelle, was convicted on four felony counts, including mail fraud and aggravated identity theft, after a five-day trial in Albany. Jurors deliberated less than three hours before delivering the verdict.
Prosecutors say Kaba and his former roommate, Tony Brobbey, filed bogus unemployment claims during the pandemic using names of real people — including two men who had been dead for over a decade. One victim was named J.F., another J.M. In total, Kaba’s fraudulent claims aimed to collect more than $500,000 in benefits. He walked away with over $150,000.
Trial evidence showed he used some of the stolen money for overseas travel and a Rolex watch.
“Kaba used stolen identities to fleece benefits programs intended to help workers during a desperate time,” said Acting U.S. Attorney John Sarcone. “His next trip will be to federal prison.”
Kaba’s sentencing is set for February 27. He faces up to 20 years in prison for each fraud charge, plus a mandatory two-year sentence for identity theft. Brobbey previously pleaded guilty and will be sentenced in January.
Federal agents with Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Department of Labor led the investigation, with help from Customs and the New York Department of Labor.
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