JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Special agents with the State Auditor’s Office arrested a man in connection to an investigation into unemployment compensation fraud called Operation Payback.

According to State Auditor Shad White, Benjamin Coleman submitted falsified weekly certification sheets to obtain unemployment funds from the Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES).

If convicted Coleman faces up to $20,000 in fines and up to 15 years in prison.

Suspected fraud can be reported to the State Auditor’s office at any time by clicking the red button at www.osa.ms.gov or calling 1-(800)-321-1275 during normal business hours.