Columbus Women Indicted in $7 Million COVID-19 Unemployment Fraud Scheme
Three Columbus-area women, including a mother and daughter, are among 15 people facing charges in a multi-million-dollar COVID-19 unemployment fraud scheme.They are accused of manipulating the state Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program to inflate payouts and resolve application issues for individuals in exchange for kickback payments. The scheme, involving a network of recruiters, resulted in over $7 million in fraudulent payments.
Markeya Smith,28; her mother,Brandy Smith,45,both of Columbus; and Shirkara Reggins Cochran,42,of canal Winchester,face charges including engaging in corrupt activity,money laundering,theft,and telecommunications fraud,according to Franklin County Common Pleas Court filings. Twelve others were also indicted in connection with the scheme.
The Ohio Office of the Inspector General reports that the Ohio department of Jobs and Family Services contracted outside help to manage the surge of claims during the COVID-19 pandemic for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program.
Three Women Accused of Fraudulently Obtaining Millions in Ohio Unemployment Benefits
Three women are facing charges related to a scheme to fraudulently obtain millions of dollars in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits in Ohio. The alleged fraud involved improperly accessing claims, disbursing funds to ineligible applicants, and accepting payments for manipulating the PUA system.
According to the Ohio inspector General’s office, Markeya Smith, 32, of Columbus, Shuntavia Cochran, 31, of Reynoldsburg, and Keisha Hunter, 34, of Columbus, are accused of exploiting the PUA system during the COVID-19 pandemic.Cochran, who allegedly used her mother’s name, “Cherita,” during her employment with staffing agency Insight Global, is accused of improperly accessing PUA claims and distributing funds to those not entitled to them.
Investigators found that the three women allegedly received cash or electronic payments from PUA applicants in exchange for improperly releasing funds.They also allegedly used recruiters to find individuals seeking to have issues removed from their applications or to fraudulently inflate their claims.
Further inquiry revealed that even after markeya Smith was terminated from her position as a customer service representative with Randstad,she retained access to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) benefits system. she allegedly released nearly $3 million in PUA benefits before her access was finally revoked.
As of August 20, 2025, none of the women have entered a plea, and no attorneys are listed as representing them.
This case is being investigated by the Ohio Inspector General’s office.
Reporting by: Shahid Meighan, The Columbus Dispatch (https://www.dispatch.com/)