Department of Employment Security Commissioner George Copadis and Attorney General Joseph A. Foster announce that Sarah Pottle of Exeter, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty and was sentenced on August 28, 2015 to one count of class A felony unemployment compensation fraud. Between September 1, 2014 and January 21, 2015, Ms. Pottle filed 19 weekly claims for unemployment compensation benefits while knowingly failing to report her employment as a licensed nursing assistant in order to obtain unemployment compensation benefits.

Ms. Pottle received a sentence of twelve months in the House of Corrections, with all but seven days suspended for two years conditioned on good behavior, restitution in the amount of $5,719.00 plus a 20% penalty of $1,143.80, and meaningful participation in any counseling, treatment and educational programs as directed by the correctional authority. She is also disqualified from the receipt of unemployment compensation benefits for 52 weeks.

The Department of Employment Security provides unemployment compensation benefits to eligible claimants who are unemployed through no fault of their own. The Department investigates and prosecutes both criminal and civil unemployment compensation fraud, with the goal of protecting New Hampshire's unemployment fund.