Rapper who bragged about unemployment scam arrested in Las Vegas for unemployment scam
LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — On September 11, Hip Hop Artist Nuke Bizzle -- real name Fontrell Antonio Baines -- released a music video called "EDD." In the video, Baines and fellow rapper Fat Wizza bragged about defrauding California's Employment Development Department to get rich.
Baines is seen in the video holding up stacks of unemployment envelopes and throwing around $100 bills.
Just 12 days later, Bizzle -- real name Fontrell Antonio Baines -- was arrested by Las Vegas police after they found eight EDD debit cards, seven of which were in other peoples' names.
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Now, Baines could face up to 22 years in federal prison for allegedly applying for more than $1.2 million in unemployment benefits, which were pre-loaded to 92 different debit cards.
"Baines allegedly exploited the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) provision of the CARES Act, which is designed to expand access to unemployment benefits to self-employed workers, independent contractors, and others who would not otherwise be eligible," the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a statement
Baines applied for the cards using addresses in Beverly Hills and Koreatown, all of which he had access to.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Baines and several unnamed co-conspirators managed to access more than $704,000 in funds by making cash withdrawals using the fraudulently-obtained cards.
Baines faces charges of access device fraud, aggravated identity theft, and interstate transportation of stolen property.
