U.S. Lists Dominican-Born Man Among 16 Most-Wanted Labor Fraud Fugitives
A Dominican-born man is among the 16 most-wanted labor fraud fugitives in the United States.
Key points
- Juan Ignacio de la Cruz-David is on the fugitive list from the Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General.
- He is accused of defrauding Puerto Rico's state employment agency of more than $133,000.
- He allegedly used false Social Security numbers to collect pandemic-era unemployment benefits.
- He was formally charged in 2022, but his whereabouts were unknown until the alert was published.
The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General has published a list of 16 people wanted for alleged labor fraud and visa manipulation. Among them is Juan Ignacio de la Cruz-David, born in the Dominican Republic.
According to the official notice, De la Cruz-David is accused of fraudulently obtaining more than $133,000 from Puerto Rico's state employment agency. Authorities say he collected pandemic-era unemployment benefits by using false Social Security numbers to receive multiple checks he was not allegedly entitled to.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Puerto Rico formally charged him in 2022. Until the alert was published, his whereabouts were unknown.
The list is part of a federal initiative backed by the White House Fraud Task Force, led by Vice President JD Vance, Attorney General Todd Blanche, and FBI Director Kash Patel. The Visa Fraud Strike Team was created to review possible irregularities in H-1B and J-1 visas.
In an interview with Fox News, Inspector General Anthony D'Esposito said one person on the list was located in Hungary, where he awaits extradition proceedings to the United States. According to D'Esposito, the federal anti-fraud strategy has led to more than 170 formal charges, 203 convictions, and 80 arrests.
Why it matters
If you live in the U.S. or Puerto Rico, this case shows federal authorities are still pursuing fraud in pandemic-era aid programs.