News Channel 3 Investigates Archives

Tipline Investigation: Stroke survivor wins long fight to get her unemployment benefits

May 13, 2021 10:08 am C.J. Ward

We first profiled Leslie Jackson and her battle against the California Employment Development Department on April 25th. She had applied for benefits… Continue Reading

Santa Barbara woman fights for her independence and her unemployment benefits

April 25, 2021 9:20 pm C.J. Ward

Santa Barbara resident Leslie Jackson filed for unemployment benefits more than a year ago and she's still waiting. She filed her claim with the EDD… Continue Reading

Santa Barbara musician wins long battle to receive unemployment benefits

April 22, 2021 10:14 am C.J. Ward

We have a heartwarming follow up now to a recent Tipline Investigation. A few weeks ago, we introduced you to Ernie Orosco. The professional… Continue Reading

Tipline Investigation: Couple claims a text message set off a two-year immigration fight

March 25, 2021 1:49 pm C.J. Ward

The last two years have been a nightmare for Dave and Daniela Henrey. They're married, but he lives in the Santa Ynez Valley and she lives outside… Continue Reading

Tipline Investigation: Local musician waiting for unemployment benefits forced to sell instruments

March 11, 2021 11:41 am C.J. Ward

We have another followup to the chaos within California’s unemployment system. Our series of reports have clearly shown how some people are… Continue Reading

Tipline Investigation: SB Restaurateur hit with $22,000 Edison bill

February 18, 2021 10:18 am C.J. Ward

The restaurant industry is hanging on by a thread during the pandemic from complete shutdowns, partial re-openings, take out only and outside not… Continue Reading

Tipline Investigation: Protect yourself and loved ones from Romance Scams and Money Mules

February 4, 2021 11:01 am C.J. Ward

Heartbreaking scams that target senior citizens in our community are on the rise during the pandemic. The crooks don’t stop at pilfering bank… Continue Reading

State Audit of Employment Department reveals failures impacting millions of Californians

January 26, 2021 3:29 pm C.J. Ward

The Employment Development Department which oversees the processing and distribution of employment insurance benefits has been under fire for its… Continue Reading

Fraud linked to California’s Unemployment Department may hit eight billion dollars and expands to other states

January 21, 2021 6:48 pm C.J. Ward

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Our series of Tipline reports about fraud in California’s unemployment system indicates the loss to taxpayers could hit a… Continue Reading

Tipline Investigation: Goleta man tells state, ‘I don’t want your unemployment money, take it back’

January 14, 2021 10:56 am C.J. Ward

A Goleta man says the state paid him unemployment benefits that he never asked for and now he can't get the EDD to take the money… Continue Reading

New light shed on mystery of electrified Montecito home

December 22, 2020 2:40 pm C.J. Ward

Trev Broudy has become an expert of sorts on the interaction between electricity and copper plumbing. For several months, he's been on a mission to… Continue Reading

Montecito mystery has homeowner charged up

December 18, 2020 3:20 pm C.J. Ward

MONTECITO, Calif. - Trev Broudy looks back to February, 2019 when his Golden Retriever nearly died as the first indication something was wrong. He… Continue Reading

Tipline Investigation: 101 year old fights with insurance company to stay in her home

December 17, 2020 9:17 am C.J. Ward

One of the toughest battlegrounds in the fight against COVD-19 has played out at senior living facilities. Outbreaks can sweep through killing dozens… Continue Reading

“Rats nest of incompetence,” how one lawmaker describes the failure of California’s unemployment system

December 10, 2020 11:55 am C.J. Ward

The NewsChannel has been investigating problems at the EDD since May and one of the top complaints we receive involves problems with the EDD's… Continue Reading

Lawmakers demand answers to accusations Bank of America siphoned EDD unemployment benefits

December 1, 2020 11:43 am C.J. Ward

A bipartisan group of 59 lawmakers from all over California are demanding Bank of America explain why money belonging to unemployed workers is being… Continue Reading

“Never seen fraud of this magnitude” Massive unemployment benefits scam may involve every jail and prison in California

November 24, 2020 11:17 am C.J. Ward

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Some Santa Barbara County jail inmates appear to be part of a statewide fraud scheme bilking hundreds of millions of dollars… Continue Reading

Tipline Investigation: California EDD freezes 350,000 possibly fraudulent debit cards; extends Call Center hours

October 23, 2020 11:33 am C.J. Ward

The California Employment Development Department is taking more drastic measures to deal with a wave of fraudulent… Continue Reading

Tipline Investigation: Unemployment scams steal hope from desperate Californians

October 1, 2020 11:05 am C.J. Ward

People who lost their jobs during the pandemic shutdown filed for unemployment benefits through the EDD and many have received… Continue Reading

Tipline Investigation: Fraud and backlog at California unemployment department leads to ‘major overhaul’

September 21, 2020 4:00 pm C.J. Ward

On Saturday, the EDD released a blueprint to get past the current crisis and hopefully avoid more problems in the… Continue Reading

Tipline Investigation: Problems at CA EDD fraud, a broken system or both?

September 10, 2020 10:49 am C.J. Ward

Problems at California’s Employment Development Department, also known as the EDD, is raising serious concerns about possible… Continue Reading