Michael “Buck” Buckley Indicted for Unemployment Fraud

Concord, NH - Attorney General John M. Formella and Department of Employment Security Commissioner Richard J. Lavers announce that the Merrimack County Grand Jury has returned indictments against Michael "Buck" Buckley, age 46, in connection with alleged unemployment compensation fraud. The indictments charge Mr. Buckley with Unemployment Compensation Fraud (class A Felony), Theft by Deception (class A Felony), and Falsifying Physical Evidence (class B Felony).

According to the indictments, from July 2020 to July 2021 Buckley allegedly submitted false unemployment claims to the New Hampshire Department of Employment Security. The indictments allege that he falsely certified that he was not claiming or receiving benefits from any other unemployment program and/or that he had lived and worked in New Hampshire. The indictments further allege that between February 2021 and July 2021 he failed to disclose his full-time employment with a not-for-profit health system in Virginia. As a result, he allegedly received more than $11,000 in unemployment compensation, including enhanced federal COVID-19 benefits, while receiving unemployment benefits from other States and continuing to work. The Falsifying Physical Evidence indictment alleges that Buckley made, presented and/or used a tax form 1099 that he knew to be false with a purpose to deceive a public servant with the New Hampshire Department of Employment Security.

Buckley is scheduled to be arraigned on July 1, 2026, in Merrimack County Superior Court. Each class A felony offense is punishable by up to 7 ½ to 15 years in state prison, a fine, or both. The class B felony offense is punishable by up to 3 ½ to 7 years in state prison, a fine, or both.

The investigation was conducted by the Department of Employment Security's Benefit Payment Control Unit. The Department provides unemployment benefits to eligible individuals who are unemployed through no fault of their own and investigates allegations of fraud to protect New Hampshire's unemployment trust fund. The New Hampshire Department of Employment Security receives program funding and grant awards from the U.S. Department of Labor. To report possible unemployment fraud, call (603) 228-4019, or email the Department of Employment Security at [email protected].

The charges and allegations against Mr. Buckley are merely accusations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.