The state Department of Labor said Monday that 76 people were arrested in Western New York in 2009 for the theft of $323,965 from New York State's Unemployment Insurance trust fund.

Fraud charges were filed against residents in four counties - Erie (49 cases, $219,878.25); Niagara (19 cases, $67,245.50); Chautauqua (5 cases, $18,888.50); and Cattaraugus (3 cases, $17,954).

According to the labor department, most of those arrested had collected unemployment insurance benefits while earning a paycheck.