Pair pleads guilty in unemployment benefit scam

MARSHALL, Texas (AP) – Federal prosecutors say two of 12 people accused of defrauding the government of thousands of dollars in unemployment benefits have pleaded guilty to mail fraud charges.

The U.S. attorney’s office says 29-year-old Annie Jean Rogers of Pittsburg and 24-year-old Shaneka Lasha Baker-Adams of Longview entered their pleas Wednesday in East Texas. Both women face up to 20 years in prison.

The women admitted using fake last employers and employment information to claim unemployment benefits. Prosecutors said the scheme operated in the Camp County area and involved 10 others who were charged. In all, authorities say the 12 defendants obtained tens of thousand of dollars.