The short version
- AlMomento.net reported that Juan Ignacio de la Cruz David is accused of defrauding the Puerto Rico Department of Labor of $133,000 by collecting unemployment benefits using false Social Security numbers
- Diario Libre reported he faces federal charges of theft of government funds and mail fraud after being indicted in 2022 by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Puerto Rico
- The U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General lists him as a fugitive and published his physical description including a July 31 1978 birth date height of 5 feet 10 inches and weight of 189 pounds
- Anyone with information is asked to call the DOL-OIG at 1-800-347-3756 according to both reports
Fugitive added to most-wanted list
A Dominican national named Juan Ignacio de la Cruz David is among 16 individuals featured on the U.S. Department of Labor's most-wanted list announced on Thursday. Diario Libre reported that Inspector General Anthony DeEsposito released the list of people sought for various federal offenses.
According to both AlMomento.net and Diario Libre, De la Cruz David is wanted for allegedly defrauding Puerto Rico's state employment agency of more than $133,000. The fraud reportedly occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic by using false Social Security numbers to obtain unemployment benefit checks to which he was not entitled. He remains at large.
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Charges and description
The Department of Labor Office of Inspector General identifies him as a fugitive facing charges of theft of government funds and mail fraud. AlMomento.net reported he was formally charged in 2022 by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Puerto Rico.
Authorities list his date of birth as July 31, 1978. He is described as approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing about 189 pounds, with brown eyes. The Office of Inspector General asks anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact them at 1-800-347-3756.
Where the sources differ
Both AlMomento.net and Diario Libre agree on the name Juan Ignacio de la Cruz David or De la Cruz-David, the $133,000-plus fraud amount, the use of false Social Security numbers, the charges of theft of government funds and mail fraud, the 2022 federal indictment in Puerto Rico, the physical description, and the tip line number. Diario Libre adds that the announcement was made by Inspector General Anthony DeEsposito on Thursday and notes the list contains 16 people total, while AlMomento.net does not mention the inspector general by name or the total number on the list.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not state how the alleged scheme was discovered, whether other individuals were charged in the same investigation, the exact number of fraudulent claims submitted, or any court proceedings that have taken place since the 2022 indictment. They also do not indicate whether De la Cruz David has retained counsel or entered a plea.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Official PUERTO RICO: Dominicano está acusado fraude 133 mil dólares
- Reporting PUERTO RICO: Dominicano está acusado fraude 133 mil dólares
- Reporting Buscan a dominicano por presunto fraude de más de 133,000 dólares en ayudas por desempleo en PR
How we checked this
AlMomento.net and Diario Libre both drew from the same U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General announcement. All details in the article rest on these two reports, which are consistent on the core facts of the case.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.
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