KFDA - NewsChannel 10 / Amarillo News, Weather, SportsState cracking down on unemployment cheats

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - The state is strengthening efforts to catch those who cheat the state's unemployment benefits system.

While the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions hasn't prosecuted anyone for fraud in the past five years, it has reported that it detected fraud of nearly $16 million last year alone.

The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that in September, the agency received a $2.5 million grant to connect with a national computer system that tracks people who are returning to work and no longer qualify for benefits. The money also will help the department audit 50 claimants a week to be sure they are actually looking for a new job.

In addition to looking at prosecutions, the department wants to look at imposing penalties for people who wrongly obtain benefits, instead of just asking them to repay the state what they owe.