Two business owners are being prosecuted for allegedly facilitating false unemployment claims for COVID-19 relief money through California’s Employment Development Department (EDD). Orange County District Attorney (OCDA) Todd Spitzer made the announcement during a Jan. 25 press conference, where he said nearly $500,000 in cash and bank accounts was recovered during the investigation. Spitzer said the men opened a Garden Grove storefront with the sole purpose of defrauding taxpayers. The prosecution of eight more people, including six state prisoners, involved in two other unemployment schemes to “defraud California taxpayers of tens of thousands of dollars,” was also announced by Spitzer and Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris. Among those charged with filing false unemployment claims are two convicted murderers who claimed the COVID-19 pandemic had impacted their ability to work. The OCDA’s office said the fact that the two men are serving sentences of up to life in prison is the true reason they …