A Detroit man admitted in federal court Monday that he stole nearly $2 million from unemployment programs and pandemic relief funds, filing hundreds of fraudulent claims in other people’s names without their knowledge.
Tauheed Salik Wilder, 43, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud before U.S. District Judge Brandy R. McMillion, according to a release from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
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According to court documents, Wilder filed hundreds of fake unemployment insurance claims across multiple states, including Michigan and California, using real people’s identities without their consent.
He then used, or had others use, ATM cards issued in the victims’ names to withdraw the stolen funds in cash, according to the release.
In total, the fraudulent unemployment claims cost $1.8 million in actual losses to state benefit programs.
Wilder also applied for and received two Paycheck Protection Program loans in his own name during the COVID-19 pandemic, totaling roughly $84,000. Combined, his scheme caused approximately $1.9 million in losses.
“Fraud against the government is itself a pandemic,” Gorgon said. “One that hurts the American taxpayer and undermines the strength of our economy. Each of these prosecutions is a dose of justice.”
IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Karen Wingerd said the case is part of a broader crackdown on pandemic-era fraud.
“This guilty plea is an important victory for America’s taxpayers who play by the rules and don’t use assistance programs as a cash slush fund,” said Karen Wingerd, Special Agent in Charge, Detroit Field Office, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI). “Today’s plea is also part of a much larger and coordinated effort by the IRS-CI and Department of Justice to aggressively find and crack down on fraudsters misusing taxpayer dollars. For those still hiding in this shadowy world, know that we will find you and hold you fully accountable.”
Wilder is set to be sentenced by Judge McMillion on July 30, 2026.