Michigan Unemployment Insurance worker pleads guilty to bribery, identity theft

DETROIT – A former employee of the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit federal program bribery and engaging in aggravated identity theft.

Janine Rayford, 39, of Redford, entered her guilty plea Aug. 28.

According to authorities, Rayford accepted more than $50,000 in bribes while working at the agency. She admitted to accessing claims without authorization and bypassing fraud prevention measures. Rayford also facilitated improper benefit payments, including some she knew were fraudulent.

Additionally, Rayford said she had engaged in illegal activities that resulted in over $2.86 million in unemployment insurance funds being wrongfully distributed to third-party claimants.

She is expected to be sentenced Jan. 8, 2026. She faces a minimum sentence of two years.