2 Arizona DES Employees Found Guilty of Accepting Bribes

Two employees from the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) face serious legal repercussions after being convicted of bribery and embezzlement. This unsettling news comes as a stark reminder of the challenges facing public service integrity, particularly amidst the ongoing scrutiny of government officials.

Jacqueline Espino, aged 53, has pled guilty to one count of bribery connected to a federal funding program. She is set for sentencing on May 5, 2025. Meanwhile, Brandilyn Lorenzen, 48, received a 30-month prison sentence on January 22, 2025, for her involvement in a similar scheme. In addition to her prison term, Lorenzen has been ordered to pay over $2.9 million in restitution.

Both Espino and Lorenzen were involved in assessing claims for unemployment insurance and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance during the pandemic from 2020 to 2022. Authorities have reported that both accepted financial bribes to approve claims for individuals who did not qualify for the aid, exploiting their positions at DES.

According to the plea agreements, Espino acknowledged receiving bribes linked to nine unemployment claims, resulting in $140,298 in improperly adjudicated funds. Furthermore, she admitted to embezzling $600,672 from DES during this timeframe. Conversely, Lorenzen confessed to taking bribes associated with 24 claims, which allowed her to embezzle a staggering $2,461,520 for personal use.

Officials have made clear that such actions harm the public’s trust in federal and state employees. “When public employees cheat, they damage the credibility of their colleagues across the country,” remarked United States Attorney Gary Restaino. He emphasized the vital role that honest public servants play in maintaining integrity within various government functions.

DHS Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari, Ph.D., reiterated this sentiment, stating that government employees must protect the integrity of crucial aid programs. “Those who betray that trust will be held accountable,” he added, highlighting the collaborative efforts with law enforcement in seeking justice in these cases.