Worth County man pleads not guilty to fraud charge

FERTILE — A man from Fertile has pleaded not guilty to unemployment benefit fraud.

45-year-old Jason Berding is accused of illegally receiving a total of 54 weeks of state unemployment insurance benefits, totaling over $17,300 between February 2015 and June 2018. Berding was arrested on March 27^th and charged with first-degree fraudulent practice, a Class C felony.

Berding was due to have his arraignment hearing on Monday, but he filed a written plea of not guilty in Worth County District Court. His trial is scheduled to start on July 10^th.

If convicted, Berding could face up to ten years in prison as well as owe restitution plus a 15-percent penalty of almost $2600.