ALBANY, NEW YORK – Former New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) employee Wendell Giles, age 52, of Albany, pled guilty today to mail fraud and aggravated identity theft charges.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge, New York Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (USDOL-OIG).
As part of his guilty plea, Giles admitted that he and another former NYSDOL employee, Carl J. DiVeglia III, abused their state computer systems access to create and approve false unemployment insurance (UI) applications in 2020 and 2021, including applications for the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program.
Giles recruited relatives, friends and friends-of-friends to submit false benefits applications over the phone to DiVeglia after Giles had instructed them to lie in response to eligibility questions. Giles and DiVeglia then took a share of the benefits paid by NYSDOL on the false claims. Giles used his share to enrich himself, including by purchasing a three-wheeled motorcycle. In text messages, DiVeglia suggested a vanity license plate for Giles’s new vehicle, “TY PUA,” which Giles understood to mean “Thank You Pandemic Unemployment Assistance.” Giles responded, “Lol.” Giles had been employed as a Senior Employment Security Clerk, and DiVeglia as a Labor Services Representative.
Giles admitted responsibility for $826,530 in losses to pandemic-related UI benefits programs administered by the state. He has agreed to pay full restitution to NYSDOL. DiVeglia previously pled guilty to related charges and also agreed to pay restitution.
The mail fraud conviction carries a maximum term of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. The aggravated identity theft conviction carries a mandatory term of 2 years in prison, to be imposed consecutively to any other term of imprisonment. Giles is scheduled to be sentenced on January 5, 2023 by Chief United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
This case was investigated by the FBI and USDOL-OIG, with assistance from the NYSDOL Office of Special Investigations, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John T. Chisholm and Joshua R. Rosenthal.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit //www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: //www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
The following is a list of DOI Offices of Inspectors General:
- Administration for Children's Services
- Department for the Aging
- New York City Board of Elections
- Board of Standards & Appeals
- Department of Buildings
- Buildings Special Investigation Unit
- Business Integrity Commission
- Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
- Department of City Planning
- City Planning Commission
- Department of Citywide Administrative Services
- Conflicts of Interest Board
- Department of Consumer Affairs
- Department of Correction
- Board of Correction
- Department of Cultural Affairs
- Department of Design & Construction
- Economic Development Corporation
- Emergency Management
- Employee Retirement Systems
- Department of Environmental Protection
- Department of Finance
- Financial Information Services Agency
- Fire Department
- FD / Bureau of Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
- Health + Hospitals
- Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
- Board of Health
- Department of Homeless Services
- Housing Authority
- Housing Development Corporation
- Housing Preservation and Development
- Human Resources Administration
- Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications
- Office of Labor Relations
- Landmarks Preservation Commission
- Lobby Law
- Office of Management and Budget
- Marshals Bureau
- Not-For-Profit Vendor Fraud Unit
- Department of Parks & Recreation
- Office of Payroll Administration
- New York City Police Department
- Department of Probation
- Public Administrators
- New York City Public Libraries
- Department of Records and Information Services
- Department of Sanitation
- School Construction Authority
- Small Business Services
- Tax Commission / Tax Tribunal
- Taxi & Limousine Commission
- Department of Transportation
- Department of Youth & Community Development
- Division of Youth and Family Justice
- Office of Collective Bargaining
- Independent Budget Office
- Civil Service Commission (CSC)
- City University of New York (CUNY)
- Universal Pre-Kindergarden (UPK)
- Vendor Integrity Unit
Administration for Children's Services
LAURA MILLENDORF - Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-2147
Fax: 212-825-3237
back to top
Department for the Aging
ELEONORA RIVKIN - Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-5967
Fax: 212-825-0125
ANDREW SEIN - Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-5967
Fax: 212-825-5472
back to top
New York City Board of Elections
ELEONORA RIVKIN - Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-5967
Fax: 212-825-0125
ANDREW SEIN - Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-5967
Fax: 212-825-5472
back to top
Board of Standards & Appeals
GREGORY CHO - Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-2413
Fax: 212-825-3238
back to top
Department of Buildings
GREGORY CHO - Inspector
General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-2413
Fax: 212-825-3238
back to top
Buildings Special Investigation Unit
GREGORY CHO - Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-2413
Fax: 212-825-3238
back to top
Business Integrity Commission
GREGORY CHO - Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-2413
Fax: 212-825-3238
back to top
Office of The Chief Medical Examiner
CLINTON DAGGAN - Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-5904
Fax: 212-825-2506
back to top
Department of City Planning
GREGORY CHO - Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-2413
Fax: 212-825-3238
back to top
City Planning Commission
GREGORY CHO - Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-2413
Fax: 212-825-3238
back to top
Department of Citywide Administrative Services
ANN PETTERSON - Inspector
General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-5904
Fax: 212-825-2506
back to top
Conflicts of Interest Board
ARTURO SANCHEZ - Acting Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-5233
Fax: 212-825-2150
back to top
Department of Consumer Affairs
CLINTON DAGGAN - Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-5904
Fax: 212-825-2506
back to top
Department of Correction
Board of Correction
WHITNEY FERGUSON - Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-1900
Fax: 212-825-2091/2150
back to top
Department of Cultural Affairs
CLINTON DAGGAN - Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-5904
Fax: 212-825-2506
back to top
Department of Design & Construction
JUVE S. HIPPOLYTE - Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, NY 10038
212-825-5935
back to top
Economic Development Corporation
ANN PETTERSON - Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-5904
Fax: 212-825-2506
back to top
Emergency Management
ARTURO SANCHEZ - Acting Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-2402
Fax: 212-825-2150
back to top
New York City Employees' Retirement System
ANN PETTERSON - Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-5904
Fax: 212-825-2506
back to top
Department of Environmental Protection
JUVE
S. HIPPOLYTE – Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, NY 10038
212-825-3333
back to top
Department of Finance (DOF)
ANN PETTERSON - Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-5904
Fax: 212-825-2506
back to top
Financial Information Services Agency
ANN PETTERSON - Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-5904
Fax: 212-825-2506
back to top
Fire Department
FD / Bureau of Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
ARTURO SANCHEZ - Acting Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-2402
Fax: 212-825-2150
back to top
NYC Health + Hospitals
NEIL CLANCY - Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
New York, NY 10038
212-676-0926
Fax 212-676-0892
back to top
Department of Health & Mental Hygiene
CLINTON DAGGAN - Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-5904
Fax: 212-825-2506
back to top
Department of Homeless Services
JOHN BELLANIE - Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-5920
Fax: 212-825-5472
back to top
New York City Housing Authority
RALPH M. IANNUZZI - Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-306-3355
Fax: 212-306-6484
back to top
Housing Development Corporation
GREGORY CHO - Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-2413
Fax: 212-825-3238
back to top
Housing Preservation and Development
GREGORY CHO - Inspector
General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-2413
Fax: 212-825-3238
back to top
Human Resources Administration
JOHN BELLANIE - Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-5920
Fax: 212-825-5472
back to top
Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications
ELEONORA RIVKIN - Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-5967
Fax: 212-825-0125
ANDREW SEIN - Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-5967
Fax: 212-825-5472
back to top
Office of Labor Relations
CLINTON DAGGAN - Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-5904
Fax: 212-825-2506
back to top
Landmarks Preservation Commission
GREGORY
CHO - Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-2413
Fax: 212-825-3238
back to top
Lobby Law
ELEONORA RIVKIN - Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-5967
Fax: 212-825-0125
ANDREW SEIN - Inspector General
180
Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-5967
Fax: 212-825-5472
back to top
Office of Management and Budget
CLINTON DAGGAN - Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-5904
Fax: 212-825-2506
back to top
Marshals Bureau
CAROLINE TANG-ALEJANDRO - Director
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-5953
Fax: 212-825-2269
back to top
Not-For-Profit Vendor Fraud Unit
ELEONORA RIVKIN - Inspector
General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-5967
Fax: 212-825-0125
ANDREW SEIN - Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-5967
Fax: 212-825-5472
back to top
Department of Parks and Recreation
JUVE S. HIPPOLYTE – Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, NY 10038
212-825-3337
back to top
Office of Payroll Administration
ANN PETTERSON - Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-5904
Fax: 212-825-2506
back to top
New York City Police Department
JEANENE BARRETT - Acting Inspector General
Office of the Inspector General for the New York City Police Department
New York City Department of Investigation
180 Maiden Lane
New York, NY 10038
Telephone: 212-806-5200
File a complaint online
back to top
Department of Probation
WHITNEY FERGUSON - Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-1900
Fax: 212-825-2091/2150
back to top
Public Administrators
ELEONORA RIVKIN - Inspector
General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-5967
Fax: 212-825-0125
ANDREW SEIN - Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-5967
Fax: 212-825-5472
back to top
New York Public Libraries
ANN PETTERSON - Inspector
General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-5904
Fax: 212-825-2506
back to top
Department of Records and Information Services
ANN PETTERSON - Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-5904
Fax: 212-825-2506
back to top
Department of Sanitation
ARTURO SANCHEZ - Acting Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-2438
Fax: 212-825-2150
back to top
School Construction Authority
FELICE SONTUPE -
Inspector General
188 West 230th Street, 2nd Floor
718-901-6600
Fax: 718-901-6649
back to top
Small Business Services
GREGORY CHO - Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-2413
Fax: 212-825-3238
back to top
Tax Commission / Tax Tribunal
ANN PETTERSON - Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-5904
Fax: 212-825-2506
back to top
Taxi & Limousine Comission
ARTURO SANCHEZ - Acting
Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-2438
Fax: 212-825-2150
back to top
Department of Transportation
JUVE S. HIPPOLYTE – Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, NY 10038
212-825-5895
back to top
Department of Youth & Community Development
ELEONORA RIVKIN - Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-5967
Fax: 212-825-0125
ANDREW SEIN - Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-5967
Fax: 212-825-5472
back to top
Division of Youth and Family Justice
LAURA MILLENDORF - Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-2147
Fax: 212-825-3237
back to top
Office of Collective Bargaining
CLINTON DAGGAN - Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-5904
Fax: 212-825-2506
back to top
Independent Budget Office
ANN PETTERSON - Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-5904
Fax: 212-825-2506
back to top
Civil Service Commission
CLINTON DAGGAN - Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-5904
Fax: 212-825-2506
back to top
City University of New York
CLINTON DAGGAN - Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-5904
Fax: 212-825-2506
back to top
Universal Pre-Kindergarden (UPK)
CLINTON DAGGAN - Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-5904
Fax: 212-825-2506
back to top
Vendor Integrity Unit
CYNTHIA IRIZARRY - Inspector General
180 Maiden Lane, New York, N.Y. 10038
212-825-5918
Fax: 212-825-6853
back to top