"Something must be done to restore the taxpayers' trust in the UIA," said Jim Holcomb, Vice President of Business Advocacy & Associate General Counsel for the Michigan Chamber.

"Last week, we learned that the UIA is responding to the logjam of calls at their centers by using employer's payroll taxes to hire approximately 120 new state workers a reported eye-popping average of $61,352 per year," noted Block. "Now we learn that more of these limited resources are being squandered on cheaters."

"Employers and unemployed workers have every right to be angry that the UI Trust Fund is being so poorly managed. The UI Agency must make it a priority to pursue and properly penalize individuals who are trying to grab more than their fair share," Holcomb concluded.

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce is celebrating its 50th year as a statewide business organization, now representing more than 7,100 employers, trade associations and local chambers of commerce. The Michigan Chamber was established in 1959 to be an advocate for Michigan's job providers in the legislative, political and legal process. It is only one of four state chambers of commerce in the nation accredited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Wendy Block