Former Newberry Deputy and School District Employee Arrested for Alleged UI Fraud
DEW & Law Enforcement Partners Statewide Continue to Crack Down on Fraud Efforts

S.C. Law Enforcement Division (SLED) agents have arrested a former sheriff’s deputy with the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office for allegedly submitting false statements to obtain unemployment benefits while serving full time with the Sheriff’s Office and part time at the Newberry County School District.

49-year-old Detrick Vandice Bishop is currently facing nine counts of false statements or representations, or failures to disclose material facts, to obtain or increase benefits. A joint investigation between the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce’s (DEW) Integrity Unit and SLED shows there are eight weeks, from August to October 2020, where the defendant is accused of certifying his claim stating he was unemployed, when in fact, he was simultaneously receiving a paycheck from both of his jobs. This resulted in the alleged fraudulent receipt of $3,508 in unemployment insurance benefits.

“As today's announcement makes clear, there are serious, criminal, consequences to filing fraudulent applications for unemployment insurance for one's own financial gain,” said DEW Executive Director, Dan Ellzey. “When someone collects benefits for which they are not entitled, as is alleged here, they are stealing state and/or federal benefits that are set aside for those who are eligible and in real need. That’s why this work is important and why we will continue this fight on fraud. We encourage anyone who has any idea that fraud is happening to complete a fraud form on our website or call 1-866-831-1724 to report it.”

Bishop was booked at the Newberry County Detention Center on February 16, 2021. The case will be prosecuted by the 8th Circuit Solicitor’s Office.

This is now the third arrest for alleged UI Fraud. To read DEW’s previous press release announcing these arrests, read it here.

How You Can Help Stop Fraud: Report It!

If you know of someone who is receiving benefits fraudulently, help South Carolinians in the state who are legitimately unemployed and in need of these benefits by reporting the information to the Department of Employment and Workforce by filling out the fraud form on the dew.sc.gov UI Fraud page.

If you believe you are a victim of identity theft, you are asked to file a police report with your local authorities and submitting a “Report ID Theft” fraud form to the Department of Employment and Workforce.

UI Fraud Penalties

If DEW finds you committed UI fraud, you will be disqualified from receiving benefits for up to 52 weeks, you will have to repay any benefits you improperly received, and you will have to pay a civil penalty. Providing false information is a crime and subjects you to legal action with fines up to $100,000 and imprisonment up to 10 years. In addition to local law enforcement, DEW partners with the SC Attorney General and the United States Department of Labor to find and prosecute UI fraud.

Those found guilty of fraud over $50,000 can be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison and face $100,000 in fines. Those found guilty of fraud between $10,000 -$50,000, can face up to 5 years in prison and $50,000 in fines.

Fraud Prevention Tips

The agency actively communicates with claimants about fraud attempts and the most recent criminal activity to help them protect themselves. DEW has created a quick Fraud 101 overview. Read it here.

About the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce
The S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce is putting South Carolinians to work. The agency has four missions: (1) workforce development; (2) free job match employment services; (3) unemployment insurance; and (4) labor market information. All four missions contribute to workforce development. The agency is dedicated to advancing South Carolina through services and programs that meet the needs of our businesses, jobseekers and those looking to advance their careers.