I was jailed in Chile during my vacation. After 6 monthd the crimnial charges were dropped and I was deported. I was denied bail.and then unemploynment.

by ron

(fort lauderdale, fl)

I came back to the US and didnt have a job anymore. I appled for FL benefits but was denied. The denial states I voluntarily left my job.

Is this for real?

Hi Ron,

Oh, the determination is for real, but it is appealable.

Here’s the statute:

(9) If the individual was terminated from his or her work for violation of any criminal law punishable by imprisonment, or for any dishonest act, in connection with his or her work, as follows:

(a) If the Agency for Workforce Innovation or the Unemployment Appeals Commission finds that the individual was terminated from his or her work for violation of any criminal law punishable by imprisonment in connection with his or her work, and the individual was found guilty of the offense, made an admission of guilt in a court of law, or entered a plea of no contest, the individual is not entitled to unemployment benefits for up to 52 weeks, under rules adopted by the Agency for Workforce Innovation, and until he or she has earned income of at least 17 times his or her weekly benefit amount. If, before an adjudication of guilt, an admission of guilt, or a plea of no contest, the employer shows the Agency for Workforce Innovation that the arrest was due to a crime against the employer or the employer’s business and, after considering all the evidence, the Agency for Workforce Innovation finds misconduct in connection with the individual’s work, the individual is not entitled to unemployment benefits.

Please note .. you need to be found “guilty” or at the very least admit guilt.

Let us know if you’re ever featured on “Locked up Abroad”.

Chris