Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe BUFFALO, N.Y., May 20 (UPI) -- Authorities in New York state said a man serving a prison sentence is facing charges for collecting 31 unemployment checks while behind bars. Erie County District Attorney Frank Sedita said the prisoner, who was not identified, made false statements on his unemployment application when he claimed he was out looking for work, The Buffalo News reported Thursday. Advertisement "Needless to say, you cannot receive unemployment pay while you're serving time in a state prison," Sedita said. "This guy said he was out looking for work. I guess he would have been out looking for work if he had his druthers." Authorities said a Buffalo-area woman who works for the state Parks Department is also facing charges in the case for allegedly helping the man file his paperwork. The charges, which have not been released, are the result of an investigation by the State Inspector General's office, the Labor Department and the Erie County district attorney's office.
