Crawford County, PA Couple Get Prison for Welfare Fraud

HARRISBURG, Pa., Feb. 28, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 46-year-old Marvin Burnett and 56-year-old Delorse Burnett, both of Meadville, Crawford County, were ordered incarcerated at the Crawford County Correctional Facility after pleading guilty to felony welfare fraud charges by President Judge Anthony J. Vardaro.

• Marvin and Delorse Burnett, illegally received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP), cash assistance, and medical assistance benefits in excess of $3,600.

Vardaro sentenced Marvin to four and one-half months to 24 months and Delorse to one to 24 months incarceration.  In addition, both Marvin and Delorse were given five years probation and ordered to pay full restitution, plus court costs and fines.  Both were disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for a period of 24 months.  They were previously convicted of welfare fraud in 1994, and were disqualified from receiving benefits for six months.

The following 17 individuals were also recently prosecuted for fraudulently receiving public assistance benefits:

• Kimberly A. Collins, 46, of Adams County, was sentenced to 21 days incarceration in Adams County Adult Correctional Complex after pleading guilty to misdemeanor welfare fraud charges by Judge Michael A. George. Collins illegally received cash assistance and SNAP benefits in excess of $2,900. In addition, Collins was sentenced to 11 months probation and ordered to pay full restitution, court costs, and fees. She was disqualified from receiving cash benefits for a period of six months and SNAP benefits for a period of 12 months.
• Alisha N. McMillian, 35, of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, was sentenced to time served to 23 months incarceration by Judge Karen Y. Simmons after pleading guilty to misdemeanor welfare fraud charges. McMillian illegally received cash assistance and SNAP benefits in excess of $4,350. In addition, McMillian was ordered to pay court costs. She was disqualified from receiving cash benefits for a period of six months and SNAP benefits for a period of 12 months.
• Melonia Bond, 34, of Lancaster, Lancaster County, received more than $1,950 in SNAP benefits. Bond pleaded guilty and was ordered to pay full restitution and court costs and fines. She was disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for a period of 12 months.
• Angelica Davila, 27, of Lancaster, Lancaster County, received more than $1,750 in SNAP benefits. Davila pleaded guilty and was ordered to pay full restitution and court costs. She was disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for a period of 12 months.
• Jean M. Greenslade, 30, of York, York County, received more than $4,600 in SNAP benefits. Greenslade pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 36 months probation and was ordered to pay full restitution and court costs and fines. She was disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for a period of 12 months.
• Shaneka Harris, 29, of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, received more than $1,800 in subsidized child care benefits. Harris pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 24 months probation and was ordered to pay full restitution and court costs. She was disqualified from receiving subsidized child care benefits for a period of six months.
• Brenda R. Hutchinson, 43, of Mercersburg, Franklin County, received more than $1,200 in SNAP benefits. Hutchinson pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 12 months probation, ordered to perform 25 hours of community service, and ordered to pay full restitution, court costs, and fees. She was disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for a period of 12 months.
• Tynisha P. Kale, 36, of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, received more than $2,600 in SNAP benefits. Kale pleaded guilty and was ordered to pay full restitution, court costs, and fees. She was disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for a period of 12 months.
• Minnie A. Leonard, 42, of Bethel Park, Allegheny County, received more than $2,300 in SNAP benefits. Leonard pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 12 months probation and was ordered to pay full restitution and court costs and fines. She was disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for a period of 12 months.
• Lavonne E. Murray, 38, of York, York County, received more than $1,350 in SNAP benefits. Murray pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 24 months probation and was ordered to pay full restitution and court costs. She was disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for a period of 12 months.
• Joanna Negrete, 37, of Allentown, Lehigh County, received more than $3,400 in SNAP benefits. Negrete pleaded nolo contendere and was sentenced to 36 months probation and was ordered to pay full restitution and court fees. She was disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for a period of 12 months.
• Kathy J. Pittman, 39, of Paradise, Lancaster County, received more than $9,500 in SNAP benefits. Pittman pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 48 months probation and was ordered to pay full restitution and costs.
• Misty D. Ramser, 32, of Mill Hall, Clinton County, received more than $4,150 in SNAP benefits. Ramser pleaded guilty and was ordered to pay full restitution and court costs, and ordered to perform 50 hours of community service. She was disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for a period of 12 months.
• Scott E. Rimer, 48, of Lyndora, Butler County, received more than $7,800 in SNAP benefits. Rimer pleaded guilty and was ordered to pay full restitution; court costs and fines, and ordered to perform 50 hours of community service. He was disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for a period of 12 months.
• Sareya Scott-Jarrett, 32, of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, received more than $4,500 in cash assistance and SNAP benefits. Scott-Jarrett pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 24 months probation and was ordered to pay full restitution and court costs. She was disqualified from receiving cash assistance benefits for a period of six months and SNAP benefits for a period of 12 months.
• Jessica L. Smith, 27, of Washington, Washington County, received more than $6,000 in SNAP benefits. Smith pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two to 23 months home monitoring, and ordered to pay full restitution, costs, and fees. She was disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for a period of 12 months.
• Tobias S. Stanford, 38, of Lancaster, Lancaster County, received $1,200 in SNAP benefits. Stanford was ordered to pay full restitution. He was disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for a period of 12 months.

"The Office of Inspector General continuously works closely with county district attorney's offices throughout the Commonwealth to obtain these types of convictions," said Inspector General Michael A. Sprow. "These are examples of the commitment put forth by the OIG and DA's offices to preserving our precious public resources."

The Office of Inspector General's Bureau of Fraud Prevention and Prosecution is responsible for investigating welfare fraud and conducting collection activities for programs administered by, or contracted through, the Department of Public Welfare (DPW). 

The Office of Inspector General works with DPW's county assistance offices statewide to identify suspected cases of public assistance fraud and with local district attorneys to bring the cases to prosecution. 

Those found guilty of welfare fraud could face a maximum sentence of seven years in prison, fines up to $15,000, mandatory restitution, and program disqualification.

The Office of Inspector General also relies on tips from concerned citizens. To report suspected fraud, call the Welfare Fraud Tipline at 1-800-932-0582. Callers may remain anonymous.

Visit the Pennsylvania Office of Inspector General online at www.oig.state.pa.us.

Media contact: James H. Timko, 717-787-6835

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of Inspector General