Middlesex, NJ — A former economist with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics pleaded guilty Thursday to making false statements to obtain sick leave pay while secretly working a second full-time job with a private financial firm during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key Points
- Matthew Hong, 28, falsely claimed sick leave 55 times while working for a private company.
- Hong received over $13,300 in sick pay from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- He faces up to five years in prison, with sentencing set for July 17.
Dual employment and deception
According to court documents, Matthew Hong, of Middlesex, New Jersey, was employed as an economist at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) from April 2020 through July 2023. During his tenure, Hong had access to sensitive economic data including employment and unemployment numbers prior to their public release.
Beginning in June 2022, while still working remotely for the BLS, Hong took on a second full-time role at a global financial firm based in New York City. There, he served as a senior associate developing macroeconomic forecasts and economic scenarios used in corporate planning.
From June 2022 to July 2023, Hong submitted 55 false sick leave entries into the BLS timekeeping system, stating he was unable to work due to illness. In reality, he was actively working for the private financial institution during those times.
Unauthorized compensation revealed
As a result of the false entries, Hong unlawfully received more than $13,300 in sick leave pay from the federal agency. His actions came to light following an investigation involving multiple federal oversight bodies, including the FBI and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
“Hong pleaded guilty to one count of false statements,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia stated in its release. The charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
Sentencing has been scheduled for July 17 in U.S. District Court, where a federal judge will determine Hong’s punishment based on federal sentencing guidelines and statutory factors.
Federal agencies respond
The case was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr., along with senior officials from the Department of Justice, the FBI, and the Department of Labor-OIG. Officials emphasized the sensitivity of the data Hong accessed at BLS, noting it included Principal Federal Economic Indicators (PFEI) that can impact financial markets if improperly disclosed.
There is no indication in court filings that Hong shared or misused PFEI data while employed at either job.