The Court of Appeals affirmed today, a lower court ruling requiring a Salt Lake woman to repay unemployment benefits.

In 2008, Kristy Smith was terminated from JetBlue Airways.  At the time of her termination, JetBlue paid her over $18,000 in vacation and severance pay.  Mrs. Smith then applied for unemployment benefits but failed to report the $18,000 payment when applying.  When the Department of Workforce Services became aware of the $18,000 payment it sought return of the $8,000 in unemployment benefits Mrs. Smith had been paid.

A lower court judge required Mrs. Smith to not only repay the $8,000 in unemployment benefits but to also pay an additional $8,000 as a fine for committing fraud.  Mrs. Smith appealed.

The Court of Appeals affirmed the lower court’s decision.