A Waltham man was arraigned yesterday on charges he schemed to collect over $9,000 in unemployment benefits while continuing to work, according to the attorney general's office.
William Preston, 37, was charged with 19 counts of unemployment fraud and larceny over $250, the AG's office said.
Preston pleaded not guilty in Suffolk Superior Court and released without bail. He is due back in court on Sept. 9 for a pre-trial conference. Clerk Magistrate Gary Wilson presided at the arraignment.
In June 2006, Preston applied for unemployment benefits from the state Department of Workforce Development's Division of Unemployment Assistance, according to authorities.
Preston received benefits from June through December 2006. During part of that time, authorities allege, Preston worked as a security guard at Brighton Marine Health Center, Inc. and failed to tell the state that he had a job.
For each of the 19 weeks Preston collected unemployment benefits, he told the unemployment division that he was not working, officials say.
State investigators discovered the false activities.
Preston was paid unemployment benefits totaling $9,196, the department said.
Indictments were returned against Preston on July 10.
The prosecutor assigned to this case is Assistant Attorney General Michael J. Walsh of Attorney General Martha Coakley's Insurance and Unemployment Fraud Division with assistance from investigator Scott Gisetto of the Attorney General's Office
