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BOSTON - A Lawrence man pleaded not guilty and was released on personal recognizance following his arraigment on charges he allegedly collected $13,300 in unemployment benefits while continuing to work, the office of Attorney General Martha Coakley announced.
Jorge Velez, 35, is one four individuals who have been indicted in December on charges of allegedly collecting $99,343 in unemployment benefits while continuing to work.
His next court date is May 8, for a pre-trial conference.
In addition to Velez, a Suffolk County Grand Jury returned indictments against Alfred Hill, 27, of Salem, Mass., Andrew Rivers, 47, of Warren, and Arclincia Mitchell, 40, of Enfield, Conn.
In the case against Velez, he is charged with 22 counts of larceny over $250. According to authorities, Velez applied for and received $13,300 in unemployment benefits between October 2008 and March 2009. During that time Velez was allegedly working full time and failed to disclose his employment status for each of the 22 weeks.
