Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing Over $160,000 in New Mexico Pandemic Unemployment Funds

A Texas resident has admitted to stealing more than $160,000 in federal unemployment relief funds intended for New Mexicans during the COVID‑19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of Justice announced last week.

The guilty plea from 46‑year‑old Marc Long marks another step in the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions’ ongoing effort to pursue individuals who exploited emergency aid programs at a time when thousands of New Mexico families were struggling to stay afloat.

NMDWS Cabinet Secretary Sarita Nair said the case reinforces the state’s commitment to accountability.

“The guilty plea in the Marc Long case sends a clear message: New Mexico has not given up on finding the people who exploited emergency relief during the pandemic and ensuring they are prosecuted,” Nair said. “Since the unprecedented expansion of unemployment benefits during the pandemic, our team has continued to pursue allegations of fraud while implementing several measures to prevent fraud in the future.”

According to federal court documents, Long carried out the scheme between July 2020 and February 2021. While living in Texas, he used the names and personal information of multiple individuals to file fraudulent unemployment claims in New Mexico. Neither Long nor the people whose identities he stole were eligible for benefits, yet the claims were approved under federal COVID‑19 relief programs created to support displaced workers.

New Mexico, like states across the country, saw a surge in fraudulent activity as unemployment systems were rapidly expanded to meet historic demand. In response, NMDWS strengthened identity‑verification processes, expanded data‑matching partnerships, and increased coordination with federal law enforcement.

The investigation into Long’s actions involved the FBI Albuquerque Field Office and the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General.

Despite federal cuts to unemployment insurance integrity grants earlier this year, NMDWS says it remains committed to protecting the system from fraud while ensuring legitimate claimants can access benefits without unnecessary barriers.

The agency now requires claimants to verify their identity through Login.gov or in person at U.S. Post Office locations or America’s Job Centers. Additional safeguards, including LexisNexis verification questions, are used to prevent fraudulent account takeovers.

A sentencing date for Long has not yet been set.

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