PORTLAND, Maine — A South Berwick woman pleaded guilty Tuesday in Portland's U.S. District Court to theft of government money.

Cori Godin, 46, made false unemployment claims to receive insurance benefits, including COVID-19 payments, according to a news release from the Department of Justice. Both the state and federal government provide unemployment insurance, or funds to eligible beneficiaries, for temporary financial relief for "lawful workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own."

Many federal programs expanded starting in March 2020 in response to the pandemic.

Godin's allegations of unemployment lasted about 13 months in 2020 and 2021, officials said. She received about $37,105.

Godin faces up to 10 years in prison, a fine up to $250,000, and supervised release for no

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