ROCKLAND, Maine — A Warren woman admitted Thursday that she fraudulently received unemployment benefits more than five years ago.
Karena Staples, 34, pleaded guilty to felony theft and unemployment fraud during a hearing held in Knox County Unified Court. Under the deferred disposition reached with Staples, if she makes restitution of $3,360 to the Maine Department of Labor and refrains from new crimes over the next 24 months, the felony charge will be dismissed and she will admit to a misdemeanor count.
The good outcome of the deferred disposition would result in a 30-day jail sentence.
The woman received the benefits from March through May 2011.