New HampshireDepartment of JusticeOffice of the Attorney General

News Release

For Immediate Release
March 9, 2017

Contact:
Richard Lavers, Deputy Commissioner
Department of Employment Security
(603) 228-4064
Heather A. Cherniske, Attorney
(603) 271-3671

Leigh Campbell Pleads Guilty to Unemployment Compensation Fraud

Department of Employment Security Commissioner George Copadis and Attorney General Joseph A. Foster announce that Leigh Campbell of Northfield, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty and was sentenced yesterday in the Belknap Superior Court to class A misdemeanor charges of unemployment compensation fraud and unsworn falsification. Between September 5, 2015 and September 27, 2015, Ms. Campbell filed for 3 weeks of unemployment compensation benefits while knowingly failing to report her employment in order to obtain benefits. As a result, she fraudulently received unemployment benefits. Additionally, Ms. Campbell submitted a letter purportedly on behalf of her employer to a Department of Employment Security employee knowing the letter lacked authenticity and with a purpose to deceive the employee.

Ms. Campbell was sentenced to 9 months in the House of Corrections all of which was suspended for two years conditioned on good behavior. She is disqualified from the receipt of unemployment compensation benefits for 52 weeks. Additionally, Ms. Campbell paid restitution in full for all benefits paid during the time period charged in the amount of $1,056.00 plus a 20% penalty of $211.00 for a total of $1,267.00.

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.

Update: On April 3, 2023, Judge Elizabeth Leonard annulled Leigh Campbellā€™s conviction.

New Hampshire Department of Justice
1 Granite Place South | Concord, NH | 03301
Telephone: 603-271-3658