Overview
- The Department of Financial Services’ Criminal Investigations Division announced the arrests tied to fraudulent payouts routed through the Division of Risk Management.
- Briana McCarthy faces charges including grand theft, aggravated white-collar crime, money laundering, scheme to defraud, criminal use of personal identification information, communications fraud, official misconduct and forgery.
- Other arrested current or former employees are Brianna Hannan (grand theft), Carlotta Hawkins (grand theft; cash deposit bank item with intent to defraud), Kearia Walker (grand theft), Whitney Branch (grand theft; cash deposit bank item with intent to defraud) and Kavon Reese (grand theft).
- Officials say all involved state agencies are cooperating with the investigation, and CID is encouraging anyone connected to the scheme to come forward.
- CFO Blaise Ingoglia vowed to pursue those responsible to the fullest extent of the law to protect taxpayer funds.