I was asked by a friend, (used to be) if I would deposit her boyfriend’s unemployment checks after the two of them moved to another state. Boyfriend used my address to receive his checks, I deposited them in a local bank. I was told by the MI unemployment office this was quite legal. (I checked.)
Then, boyfriend got work in new state. Some above board, some cash. He reported none of it and kept getting full unemployment. I kept depositing for a while, then stopped. Had words with ex-friend and her boyfriend, then reported his ass to the state for unemployment fraud.
My question: During the time that I deposited his checks while knowing he was working and possibly defrauding the state, was I comitting a crime? If so, what sort of crime?
NB: I talked to three people at the fraud dept and got answers from “well probably” to “I don’t think you are in any trouble at all.” I really haven’t had even a half-way definitive answer.
The single, only thing I did was fill out a deposit slip and make deposits so I am guessing I’m OK. I hope.
Thanks!