MONTGOMERY — A Decatur man was one of several Alabamians prosecuted recently for unemployment compensation fraud.

Charlmers Smith was tried in Cleburne County Circuit Court on Feb. 13. An investigation by Labor’s Benefit Payment Control Section determined that Smith received a total of $3,184 in benefits to which he was not entitled.

Smith pled guilty to first-degree theft and was sentenced to two years of jail, which was suspended, and two years of supervised probation. He was also ordered to pay a victim’s assessment fee of $25, court costs, and restitution in the amount of benefits received illegally.

“Unemployment compensation benefits can serve as a lifeline to those who truly need them,” said Fitzgerald Washington, state Labor Department secretary. “However, we want to send a message to those who would knowingly defraud the system in order to obtain benefits they aren’t entitled to: This is a crime and you will be prosecuted.”

Suspected unemployment compensation fraud may be reported to the Alabama Department of Labor by calling 1-800-392-8019.

Employers may find more information regarding reporting new hires at http://www.labor.alabama.gov/nh.