New Rochelle Man Sentenced Following Trial Convictions for Pandemic Fraud

ALBANY, NEW YORK - Aly Kaba, age 30, of New Rochelle, New York, was sentenced today to 54 months in prison for engaging in a fraudulent scheme to obtain COVID-19 pandemic-related unemployment insurance benefits using stolen identities.

First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III; Nicholas Bucciarelli, Acting Inspector in Charge of the Boston Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); and Anthony P. D'Esposito, Inspector General, United States Department of Labor (USDOL-OIG), made the announcement.

The trial evidence showed that in late 2020, Kaba conspired with his former roommate, Tony Brobbey, and fraudulently obtained unemployment insurance benefits from the New York State Department of Labor worth more than $150,000. To make the fraudulent unemployment insurance claims, Kaba used multiple stolen identities, including victims named J.F and J.M. and two men who died more than a decade before the pandemic. Kaba's fraudulent claims sought more than $600,000 in benefits. The evidence also showed that Kaba used fraud proceeds on overseas travel and a Rolex watch.

United States District Judge Mae A. D'Agostino also ordered a 3-year term of supervised release to follow Kaba's release from prison, as well as restitution to the States of New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island in a total amount of $182,227, and forfeiture of a money judgment.

First Assistant United States Attorney Sarcone stated: "Kaba thought his fraud would get him some new gear and luxury vacations, but in the end, all he got was a trip to federal prison and a jumpsuit. Today's sentence demonstrates, once again, that my office and our partners will bring to justice anyone who fraudulently exploits a crisis to steal from taxpayers. Thank you to our federal law enforcement partners for all their great work throughout this investigation."

"The deliberate use of someone else's identity for financial gain creates considerable impacts. We will thoroughly investigate cases when individuals falsely obtain benefits they are not entitled to," said Acting Inspector in Charge Nicholas Bucciarelli of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service's Boston Division. "The U.S. Postal Inspection Service works alongside our federal law enforcement partners to conduct investigations like these, to preserve the integrity of the programs that are designed to provide financial assistance to those in need."

HSI Special Agent in Charge Keegan said: "Aly Kaba exploited the COVID-19 pandemic by orchestrating a scheme to steal identities and fraudulently obtain over $150,000 in unemployment insurance benefits, causing significant financial harm to victims in multiple states for his own selfish gain. HSI Albany is dedicated to uncovering and dismantling complex fraud schemes, leveraging our expertise and resources to protect public funds and hold perpetrators accountable. HSI remains committed to working closely with our law enforcement partners to safeguard the wellbeing of our communities and ensure justice for those impacted by these crimes."

"This defendant took advantage of a national emergency to line his own pockets - using deception and stolen identities to siphon off unemployment benefits meant for people truly in need. That's not just fraud, it's theft from the American taxpayer," said Anthony P. D'Esposito, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General. "At the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, we are relentless in protecting the integrity of our unemployment insurance programs. We will continue working hand-in-hand with our law enforcement partners to track down fraudsters, bring charges, and ensure accountability. If you try to exploit these benefits for personal gain, we will find you."

Brobbey previously pled guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and aggravated identity theft. He was sentenced to 3 years of probation with 24 consecutive weekends in jail and restitution to victims in January 2026.

This case was investigated by USPIS, HSI, and USDOL-OIG, with assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection's New York Field Office and the New York State Department of Labor's Office of Special Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander P. Wentworth-Ping and Joshua R. Rosenthal prosecuted the case.