California sent jobless aid to Scott Peterson, other killers

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Prosecutors say California's system for paying unemployment benefits is so dysfunctional that the state approved more than $140 million for at least 35,000 prisoners.

On Tuesday, they detailed a scheme resulting in payouts in the names of well-known convicted murderers like Scott Peterson.

Sacramento County's district attorney said at least 158 claims were made for 133 death-row inmates.

Prosecutors say the Employment Development Department has been overwhelmed by benefit claims since the pandemic began, and in its haste to approve them, didn't check unemployment claims against a list of prisoners.

Gov. Gavin Newsom says he's already ordered the department to review its practices and act to prevent fraud.

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