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American River Messenger

Felony EDD Fraud Charges Filed

Jan 07, 2021 12:00AM ● By By Shelly Orio, Office of Sacramento County District Attorney

SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - On January 4, 2021, nine felony counts of EDD fraud were filed against Walter Lee Dawson in Department 62 of the Sacramento Superior Court.

Dawson was arrested on December 3, 2020, when Sacramento Probation Officers and Sheriff’s Deputies conducted a probation compliance search and recovered a Glock style pistol with no serial number, multiple rounds of 9 mm ammunition, approximately $58,000 in cash, approximately 3.8 pounds of marijuana, and packaging material consistent with marijuana sales.  Dawson was arrested and charged with felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, and possession of marijuana for sales charges in Sacramento Superior Court case number 20FE019364.

During the search, nine EDD debit cards issued in different names were also recovered as were approximately 20 additional EDD documents in various people’s names.  After Dawson’s arrest, a joint investigation by the District Attorney, Probation Department, Sheriff’s Office, and the California Employment Development Department Investigations Division revealed that approximately $219,000 had been fraudulently acquired by Dawson when he obtained the nine EDD cards.  Dawson, who has prior strike convictions for residential burglary and attempted residential burglary, was arraigned today on an amended felony complaint that added nine felony counts of EDD fraud.  With the additional charges, Dawson faces a maximum sentence of 19 years, 4 months in state prison.

The Sacramento District Attorney will continue to investigate and prosecute EDD fraud, which cheats rightful recipients out of much needed assistance and costs Californians billions in lost tax dollars.