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Man fined more than $80,000 by the Unemployment Insurance Agency

Posted at 6:54 PM, May 15, 2015
and last updated 2015-05-15 18:57:29-04

SHELBY, Mich. -- Steve Brimmer is a hobby farmer. He raises and sells pigs, cows, and chickens. It earns him a little cash, but it's quite a change for the man from Shelby.

He said he worked for an auto supplier in Muskegon for 6 years. Brimmer said he got fired in February 2013 for attendance problems, although he said he refuted this with his employer. Once he was out of a job, he filed for unemployment.  Brimmer said the state approved him for benefits, and he collected $16,000 from February to December 2013 (including extensions).

In January 2015, he received a letter from the state. It said he didn't qualify for the benefits in the first place and that he needs to repay the money plus a hefty fine. The notice states he owes $80,585.

Watch the video for more.

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