By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
A Nigerian national residing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of theft of government property, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced on Wednesday.
The one-count indictment names 43-year-old Funke Iyanda as the sole defendant, reportedly without legal status in the United States, a statement issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Pennsylvania on Wednesday, said. 
According to the indictment, between May 27, 2020, and May 24, 2021, Iyanda allegedly prepared and submitted a false application for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits using another person’s identity.
The fraudulent claim, submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor, resulted in Iyanda unlawfully receiving approximately $40,980 in benefits.
If convicted, Iyanda faces a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. The actual sentence would be determined based on the federal sentencing guidelines, considering the severity of the offence and any prior criminal history.
Assistant United States Attorney Gregory C. Melucci is handling the prosecution on behalf of the government.
The U.S. Department of Labor and the Department of Homeland Security conducted the investigation that led to the indictment.
An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
