BRIEF: Plea bargain leads to probation, community service, $28K restitution

May 20--A Terre Haute woman has been sentenced to probation and community service after pleading guilty to unemployment insurance fraud.

Linda D. Deakins, 64, also was ordered to pay $22,800 in restitution after she admitted to purposefully defrauding the system by collecting unemployment insurance benefits while working full-time.

The investigation began when an Indiana Department of Workforce Development employee confirmed Deakins was working and receiving wages while claiming unemployment insurance benefits. Using agency records, DWD investigated and was able to verify her employment and benefit history.

The criminal charge of welfare fraud, a class-C felony, was filed against Deakins in April 2014.

A plea agreement in the case was filed in March. She has been sentenced to five years in prison, with all time suspended to formal probation. She was also ordered to make restitution and to perform 40 hours of community service.

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