DENVER -- Eight current and former Colorado Springs residents have been indicted for allegedly stealing $214,000 in unemployment money due to U.S. military veterans.

Authorities in the state and federal investigation blasted the scam artists for filing more than 200 applications for state unemployment benefits designed for veterans who have served their country.

"Thanks to cooperation among state and federal authorities, eight people have been indicted for defrauding a program designed to help our unemployed veterans," Colorado U.S. Attorney David Gaouette said in a Monday statement. "Those who would take money from a program that supports our veterans is not only criminal, but is totally inexcusable."

"Individuals who fraudulently obtain benefits reserved for former service members do a grave injustice to brave soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines who faithfully served their country," said Sharon Woods, director of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service. She said authorities will "prosecute benefit fraud of this nature to the fullest extent of the law."

Six of the suspects have been arrested since the indictments by a Denver federal grand jury were unsealed Dec. 16, according to the statement. The seventh suspect was already in jail and the eighth suspect, Jermaine L. Hall, remains a fugitive.

The suspects are accused of conspiring to submit fraudulent unemployment applications for military veterans, U.S. Attorney's Office spokesman Jeff Dorschner said.

The scam began in November 2006 and continued through January 2008, according to the indictment.

The bogus unemployment applications were filed using a combination of the names of some defendants or their relatives, aliases, and false names, Dorschner added. The applications also included other bogus information, such as false Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and false information about the applicants' military service. The defendants allegedly submitted false military "Certificates of Release or Discharge from Active Duty."

Earl L. Hall, was charged with one count of conspiracy, 10 counts of receipt of stolen government property, and one count of aggravated identity theft.

The other suspects were charged with varying counts of conspiracy and receipt of stolen government property.

They were identified as:

Renita L. Blunt, who was born in 1985, is charged with one count of conspiracy, and 13 counts of receipt of stolen government property.

Eric G. Adams, who was born in 1971, is charged with one count of conspiracy, and 9 counts of receipt of stolen government property.

Conslyn L. Hall, who was born in 1981, is charged with one count of conspiracy, and 6 counts of receipt of government property.

Jermaine L. Hall, who was born in 1974, is charged with one count of conspiracy, and 6 counts of receipt of government property.

Terrance R. Wray, who was born in 1981, is charged with one count of conspiracy, and 8 counts of receipt of government property.

Demetrius L. Harper, who was born in 1970, is charged with one count of conspiracy, and 4 counts of receipt of government property.

Corey D. Ladson, who was born in 1973, is charged with one count of conspiracy, and 4 counts of receipt of government property.

Contact Alan Gathright at alan_gathright@kmgh.com or 303-832-0179 if you have further information on this story.