The ingenuity and perseverance of Abington Police Lt. Justin Simmons, along with Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Jacqleen Cunningham were essential to the successful prosecution of social media influencer Danielle Miller, who fraudulently obtained more than $1.2 million in pandemic relief funds by using multiple stolen identities.
In 2020, Lt. Simmons received a report from a local victim whose identity had been stolen. Through a diligent investigation, Lt. Simmons discovered that the perpetrator had used the victim's identity to commit widespread fraud, including obtaining pandemic unemployment benefits, applying for a Small Business Administration pandemic relief loan, and chartering a private jet. Recognizing the complexity of the case, Lt. Simmons collaborated with Special Agent Cunningham to reveal dozens of other identities that were also being fraudulently used.
In total, Miller obtained more than $1.2 million in fraudulent pandemic loan proceeds and over $100,000 in pandemic unemployment benefits. Thanks to the swift actions of Lt. Simmons, Special Agent Cunningham, and their colleagues, over $700,000 of these fraud proceeds were seized from Miller's accounts before they could be spent.
Miller's arrest, and prosecution, formed the basis for an episode of the Hulu series "Age of Influence" and an entire season of the "Queen of the Con" podcast. In September 2023, Miller was sentenced to five years in prison, the longest sentence imposed for pandemic-relief fraud in the District of Massachusetts. This case serves as a critical deterrent, demonstrating that even sophisticated fraud schemes will be uncovered and justice will prevail.
Join us in congratulating Lt. Simmons and SA Cunningham on a job well done!
Pictured is Abington Police Chief John Bonney, HSI New England Special Agent in Charge Mike Krol, HSI Special Agent Jacqleen Cunningham, Abington Police Lt. Justin Simmons, Assistant U.S. Attorney William Abely, Abington Deputy Police Chief Jeff Postell, and Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy