Boise man sentenced for unemployment insurance fraud

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 19, 2025
Media Contact: Darlene.Carnopis@labor.idaho.gov

Bryan Hayhurst, 39, of Boise, pleaded guilty to one felony count of Misrepresentation to Obtain Unemployment Benefits, which is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison. Hayhurst was sentenced by Ada County Judge Peter Barton on Nov. 19 to five years in prison, with two years fixed and three years indeterminate. Hayhurst was also ordered to pay restitution of $16,083.08 to the Idaho Department of Labor.

The Labor Department requires unemployment insurance (UI) claimants to report accurately when filing each week of their claim. In this case, between April 2020 through July 2020, Hayhurst claimed he had not worked when he had worked and earned wages.

Unemployment insurance fraud includes:

  • Failing to accurately report hours of work, cash wages and earnings from employers while receiving unemployment benefits.
  • Failing to accurately report when the claimant is unable to work, out of the area, on vacation or providing false work search contacts while collecting unemployment benefits.
  • Identity theft – using another person’s identity (name, social security number) to file fraudulent claims.
  • Stealing someone’s mail – a federal crime – and then using that person’s unemployment insurance debit card.
  • An employer coercing, inducing or colluding with an employee to file a false claim for benefits or providing false information regarding a worker’s separation from employment.

Claimants who make a mistake should call the UI Benefits Claim Center, 208-332-8942, to get inaccurate information corrected.

If you suspect someone is fraudulently collecting unemployment benefits, you can notify Labor using the online form or provide the information by email to Fraud@labor.idaho.gov. You can also report suspected fraud by calling Labor’s toll-free tip line at 877-540-8638 and leaving contact information for the person or business involved in committing the fraud.

— end —

The Idaho Department of Labor’s unemployment insurance program is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor for SFY26 as part of the Employment and Training Administration grants (64%) and state/nonfederal funds (36%) totaling $24,926,802.