A Kansas City man has been accused of fraudulently obtaining unemployment compensation by collecting benefits while he had a job.

Tony T. Norman, 38, has been charged with stealing by deceit for falsely reporting he was unemployed in order to receive benefits.

Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd said, “These are tough economic times, and many people are losing their jobs. We should do everything possible to make sure unemployment benefits are available for those who legitimately need them, which means cracking down on anyone who tries to scam the system.”

Zahnd said charges were filed on March 11 following an investigation by the Missouri Division of Employment Security.

According to court documents, on March 7, 2007, Norton filed for unemployment insurance benefits with the Missouri Division of Employment Security.

Norton allegedly phoned the Division weekly between March 31, 2007 and September 22, 2007 using a Personal Identification Number known only to him. Norton claimed in those calls to be unemployed and available for and actively seeking work.

According to the payroll manager of a healthcare services group, Norton worked during the entire March through September 2007 timeframe.

Norton was allegedly paid nearly $3700 in unemployment benefits to which he was not entitled.
Norton has been charged with the felony of stealing by deceit. If convicted, he faces up to seven years in prison.

The court issued a warrant for Norton’s arrest and set bond at $5,000 cash.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Abby Pennell.

The charges against Norton are merely accusations, and Norton is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.