By MDBayNews Staff
Three Maryland cousins have been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges related to a sprawling unemployment insurance fraud scheme that allegedly siphoned millions of dollars in taxpayer funds during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to federal prosecutors.
The indictments, announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, accuse the defendants of exploiting emergency unemployment programs designed to help workers displaced by government shutdowns. Prosecutors say the scheme involved filing fraudulent claims using stolen or falsified personal information, then routing the proceeds through multiple accounts to conceal their origin.
Update (January 20, 2026): Names and Charges Unsealed
Federal prosecutors on Tuesday unsealed a superseding indictment naming the three Maryland cousins accused in the multi-million-dollar fraud case. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, the defendants are Daiwor “Mark Brown” Woah-Tee, 52, of Belcamp; Dekwii Woah-Tee, 47, of Baltimore; and Laiworpaye Woah-Tee, 49, of Nottingham.
Prosecutors allege the trio conspired from January 2018 through December 2024 to file fraudulent federal income tax returns containing fabricated information—such as false dependents, inflated income figures, bogus education expenses, and other nonexistent deductions—seeking at least $3.5 million in improper tax refunds routed to bank accounts and addresses they controlled. All three are charged with conspiracy to submit false and fraudulent claims to the federal government.
In a related case, Daiwor and Dekwii Woah-Tee face additional charges of wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft for allegedly using stolen identities to fraudulently obtain more than $1 million in CARES Act unemployment insurance benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prosecutors say those claims were submitted in victims’ names—often without their knowledge—to the Maryland Department of Labor.
The investigation involved IRS Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, and other federal agencies. No trial dates or plea information have been announced. As with all criminal proceedings, the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Alleged Abuse of Emergency Programs
During the pandemic, Congress rapidly expanded unemployment benefits to stabilize households and prevent economic collapse. Those programs, while necessary, were implemented at unprecedented speed — creating vulnerabilities that criminal networks quickly sought to exploit.
According to the indictment, the defendants allegedly submitted dozens of false claims across multiple states, resulting in millions of dollars in improper payments. Investigators say some of the funds were used for personal expenses, while others were laundered through shell accounts to evade detection.
Federal authorities emphasized that these were not paperwork mistakes or eligibility disputes, but deliberate acts of deception carried out on a large scale.
A Broader Accountability Push
The case is part of a wider federal crackdown on pandemic-era fraud. The Department of Justice estimates that tens of billions of dollars were lost nationwide to fraudulent unemployment, PPP, and relief claims — costs ultimately borne by taxpayers and legitimate beneficiaries who faced delays or denials as a result.
From a center-right perspective, the case underscores a recurring concern: emergency government programs, when rolled out without adequate safeguards, can invite massive abuse. While the goal of rapid relief was understandable, insufficient oversight allowed criminals to exploit systems faster than regulators could respond.
Due Process and Presumption of Innocence
As with all criminal cases, the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. If convicted, however, they could face significant prison time, restitution orders, and forfeiture of assets tied to the alleged fraud.
Federal prosecutors have indicated the investigation is ongoing, raising the possibility of additional charges or related defendants.
Why It Matters for Maryland
For Maryland taxpayers, cases like this highlight the long-term consequences of pandemic spending decisions that are still playing out years later. Fraud losses not only strain public finances but also erode trust in safety-net programs that many residents genuinely relied upon during an unprecedented crisis.
As Maryland and federal officials continue to audit and recover stolen funds, this case serves as a reminder that emergency aid must be paired with strong accountability — not only after the fact, but from the outset.
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