Twin Falls Man Sentenced for Unemployment Fraud

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (AP) — A 45-year-old Twin Falls mechanic has been sentenced for collecting $7,000 in unemployment insurance payments while also working. District Judge Randy Stoker sentenced Richard Henry Ratliff on Friday to 10 years in prison.

The court retained jurisdiction and Stoker recommended Ratliff complete a behavioral treatment program, after which the judge will decide if he should be released on probation or sent to prison. Stoker pleaded guilty to collecting unemployment benefits while also earning more than $9,200 at his job between mid-August and mid-December 2010.

The department has recovered just over $1,900 in restitution and Ratliff still must repay the remaining $6,700. He also must report all "off-the-clock" wages he has been paid to the Idaho Tax Commission and the Internal Revenue Service for tax assessment.