Monessen woman ordered to pay $66K in restitution in pandemic unemployment fraud case

A Monessen woman was sentenced to 18 months in a federal prison after, authorities said, she received $66,240 in fraudulent pandemic unemployment assistance.

Amanda Fairfax, 37, was ordered to spend three years on supervised release after the prison term.

Fairfax pleaded guilty in January to five counts of mail fraud. Federal prosecutors said she filed five fraudulent claims for pandemic unemployment assistance for as many individuals in June and July 2020. The $66,240 was delivered by mail to two addresses associated with Fairfax, authorities said.

The pandemic unemployment assistance program was created to help people who became jobless because of the pandemic and were not eligible for regular unemployment compensation. Fairfax was ordered to pay full restitution and has been detained since her guilty plea.

“The defendant defrauded the United States of money designed to assist law-abiding citizens during a deadly, global pandemic,” prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memorandum.

Assistant federal public defender Jay Finkelstein argued in a sentencing memorandum that Fairfax should receive a lighter sentence because of mental health and substance-abuse issues. She sought inpatient substance-abuse treatment while out on bond in the case, and Finkelstein said Fairfax intends to reside at a sober living house after her sentence.

“She has deep remorse for her actions and finally, with an understanding of the need for mental health and drug treatment, is ready to return to society as a lawful and productive member of the community,” he wrote.

Prosecutors said past criminal convictions include burglary, theft and drug possession.