A federal jury has convicted Aly Kaba, a 30-year-old resident of New Rochelle, New York, on charges related to pandemic unemployment insurance fraud and aggravated identity theft. The verdict was delivered on October 21, 2025 after a five-day trial in Albany, with jurors reaching their decision in less than three hours.
According to evidence presented at trial, Kaba conspired with his former roommate Tony Brobbey in late 2020 to obtain over $150,000 in unemployment benefits from the New York State Department of Labor using stolen identities. These included the identities of victims identified as J.F., J.M., and two men who had died more than ten years before the COVID-19 pandemic. Prosecutors stated that fraudulent claims submitted by Kaba sought more than $500,000 in total benefits. Evidence also showed that proceeds from the scheme were used for overseas travel and purchasing a Rolex watch.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III said: “Kaba used stolen identities to fleece benefits programs intended to benefit workers during a desperate time. Thanks to the hard work of prosecutors in my office and each law enforcement agency involved in this task force, Kaba’s days of exotic travel on the taxpayers’ dime are over and his next trip will be to federal prison.”
Nicholas Bucciarelli, Acting Inspector in Charge at USPIS, commented: “Mr. Kaba’s conviction should serve notice to anyone hoping to misuse the mail for fraudulent purposes. Postal Inspectors and their law enforcement partners will vigorously investigate mail fraud, protect public funds, and bring perpetrators to justice.”
Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge at HSI Buffalo Field Office stated: “This conviction reinforces HSI Albany’s commitment, alongside our law enforcement partners, to protecting communities from fraud and ensuring that relief programs serve those who truly need them. We are proud to have successfully brought justice in a case that safeguards the public by preventing the exploitation of critical government resources.”
Jonathan R. Mellone from USDOL-OIG added: “Aly Kaba unlawfully profited from a scheme that used stolen identities to fraudulently obtain critical taxpayer funds intended for qualified individuals in need of unemployment insurance benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Safeguarding the integrity of the unemployment insurance program remains a top priority for the Office of Inspector General. We will continue to work closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners to ensure the protection of U.S. Department of Labor programs and operations.”
Sentencing for Kaba is set for February 27, 2026. Each count of conspiracy or mail fraud carries up to 20 years imprisonment plus fines up to $250,000 and supervised release terms up to three years; aggravated identity theft carries an additional mandatory two-year sentence served consecutively.
Brobbey previously pleaded guilty on similar charges; his sentencing is scheduled for January 7, 2026.
The investigation involved several agencies including USPIS, HSI, USDOL-OIG—with support from U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s New York Field Office—and assistance from New York State Department of Labor’s Office of Special Investigations.
