WTEN: Amsterdam woman sentenced in pandemic fraud conspiracy

Cassie Abel

October 23, 2025

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)- An Amsterdam woman has been sentenced for her involvement in a pandemic fraud conspiracy, the Offices of the New York State Inspector General announced Wednesday. Jodi Drygula, 52, and a 45-year-old Las Vegas resident, Anthony Camou, received two years and six month prison sentences.

According to the New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang, the two conspired to receive more than $250,000 in unemployment insurance benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The COVID-19 pandemic presented one of the greatest challenges in the history of modern public administration, requiring unprecedented speed in delivering benefits to those in need," Lang said. "Unfortunately, it also created opportunities for exploitation. These sentences reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that those who steal from public benefit systems will be held accountable."

Officials said under Drygula's plea agreement, she was ordered to pay $238,193.25 in restitution to New York State and $22,572 to California. She also agreed to forfeit almost $39,000 in fraud proceeds.

Camou was ordered to pay $56,994 in restitution to the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) and to forfeit $38,641 in proceeds.

The two were indicted on fraud charges in October 2024, according to the United States Department of Justice. The indictment alleges that from July 2020 through September 2021, Drygula and Camou obtained unemployment insurance benefits from the NYSDOL under the names of three people, defrauding the NYSDOL out of more than $250,000.

"Jodi Drygula and Anthony Camou unlawfully profited by fraudulently obtaining critical taxpayer funds intended for individuals in need of unemployment insurance benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic," stated Jonathan R. Mellone, Special Agent-in-Charge, Northeast Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General. "Safeguarding the integrity of the unemployment insurance program remains a top priority for the Office of Inspector General."

The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor-Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the New York State-Office of the Inspector General.

In May 2021, the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force was created to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud.