Post Falls man gets probation for unemployment insurance scheme

COEUR d’ALENE — A Post Falls man who used debit cards issued in other people’s names to fraudulently obtain more than $81,000 received a sentence this week, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced Wednesday.

Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye placed 79-year-old Jimmy Winebrenner on probation for five years for trafficking in unauthorized devices in relation to an unemployment insurance scheme.

In spring 2020, Winebrenner reportedly began receiving unemployment benefits cards in the mail from various state agencies, including the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation.

The unemployment benefit cards were debit cards, preloaded with unemployment benefit funds issued in other people’s names. He used one such card to obtain $14,830 at an ATM in Coeur d’Alene

Between July and August 2020, Winebrenner obtained $81,180 from Nevada DETR debit cards issued in other people’s names. Nye ordered Winebrenner to pay the entire amount back in restitution.