Lincoln Pharmacy of Milford, Inc. v. Commissioner of the Division of Unemployment Assistance

**What Happened** Lincoln Pharmacy of Milford was accused of manipulating its payroll records to avoid paying proper unemployment insurance contributions. The state unemployment office found that the company had intentionally moved employee wages between two related businesses it owned. This shell game was designed to keep the pharmacy's unemployment insurance rates artificially low, since rates increase when companies have more workers who file for unemployment benefits. **What the Court Decided** The appellate court sided with the state unemployment office and upheld the assessment against Lincoln Pharmacy. The court found there was strong evidence that the company deliberately shifted payroll between its two businesses to dodge higher contribution rates. Lincoln Pharmacy was ordered to pay $83,043.05 in penalties and back contributions. **Why This Matters for Workers** This ruling protects the unemployment insurance system that workers depend on when they lose their jobs. When employers try to cheat the system by hiding their true payroll costs, it undermines funding for unemployment benefits. The court's decision sends a clear message that companies cannot manipulate their records to avoid their legal obligations to support unemployed workers.