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Florida woman found guilty of stealing nearly $2 million in unemployment

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TAMPA, Fla. — A Wesley Chapel woman was found guilty of stealing almost $2 million in unemployment benefits, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Friday.

DOJ said 58-year-old Maria Morales created over 100 debit cards using other people's information to receive insurance benefits provided during the pandemic.

Morales then took the cards to different ATMs in Florida and withdrew thousands of dollars using the identities of over 100 people across the United States.

Officials said this took place in less than one year.

Morales’ sentencing hearing is scheduled for Sept. 19, and she faces a maximum of ten years in federal prison.

Corporation for Public Broadcasting shutdown will impact Tampa's PBS and NPR stations

From Mr. Rogers to Sesame Street. From Downton Abbey to the documentaries of filmmaker Ken Burns. They’re shows so many Americans love and grew up on, and they were broadcast on local PBS stations thanks to funding from the Corporation of Public Broadcasting.

Corporation for Public Broadcasting shutdown will impact Tampa's PBS and NPR stations