Office of Inspector General Announces June 2013 Welfare Fraud Adjudications

HARRISBURG, Pa., July 12, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Eighteen Pennsylvania residents pleaded guilty to welfare fraud and/or were sentenced for their crimes during June, the Office of Inspector General announced today.

"The Office of Inspector General is committed to eradicating welfare fraud so that public assistance funds are available to those who are truly eligible," Inspector General Michael A. Sprow said. "It is our mission to help protect these public resources." 

The following individuals were prosecuted and sentenced for fraudulently receiving public assistance benefits:

• David S. Albertson, 39, and Michelle L. Albertson, 41, of Old Forge, Lackawanna County, received more than $4,300 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The Albertsons were sentenced to one year probation and ordered to pay full restitution, costs, and fines. They were also disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for one year.
• Kim A. Barlow, 40, of Washington, Washington County, received more than $4,650 in SNAP benefits. Barlow was sentenced to three years probation and ordered to pay full restitution and costs. She was also disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for one year. 
• Lucretia L. Beers, 51, of Marysville, Perry County, received more than $1,050 in SNAP benefits. Beers was sentenced to 30 days probation and ordered to pay full restitution. She was also disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for one year.
• Ashley R. Fazenbaker, 25, of Uniontown, Fayette County, received more than $1,700 in cash assistance and SNAP benefits. Fazenbaker was sentenced to one to 23 months incarceration and was ordered to pay full restitution.  Additionally, she was disqualified from receiving cash assistance for six months and SNAP benefits for one year.    
• Randy J. Haubrick, 36, of Lewistown, Mifflin County, received more than $1,700 in cash assistance and SNAP benefits. Haubrick was sentenced to one year probation and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs, and fines.  Additionally, he was disqualified from receiving cash assistance benefits for six months and SNAP benefits for one year.
• Amanda J. Helman, 33, of New Kensington, Westmoreland County, received more than $800 in SNAP benefits. Helman was sentenced to 15 days to less than one year incarceration, probation and was ordered to pay full restitution and costs. She was also disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for one year.
• Awilda Laureano, of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, received more than $7,200 in cash assistance, medical assistance, and SNAP benefits. Laureano was sentenced to three years probation and ordered to pay full restitution.  Additionally, she was disqualified from receiving cash assistance benefits for six months and SNAP benefits for one year.
• Lettie C. Macon, 37, of Jeannette, Westmoreland County, received more than $1,100 in cash assistance benefits. Macon was sentenced to two years probation and ordered to pay full restitution. She was also disqualified from receiving cash assistance for six months. 
• Tonya T. Mallamaci, 41, of Mount Carmel, Northumberland County, received more than $2,350 in SNAP benefits. Mallamaci was sentenced to 18 months probation and was ordered to pay full restitution. Additionally, she was disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for one year.  
• Heidi K. Miller, 37, of DuBois, Clearfield County, received more than $4,050 in cash assistance benefits. Miller was sentenced to two years probation and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs, and fines. Additionally, she was disqualified from receiving cash assistance benefits for six months.  
• Misty L. Nelson, 33, of Apollo, Armstrong County, received more than $6,850 in SNAP benefits. Nelson was sentenced to two years probation and was ordered to pay full restitution and costs. Additionally, she was disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for one year.  
• Theresa Roth, 47, of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, received more than $1,050 in SNAP benefits. Roth was sentenced to six months probation and was ordered to pay full restitution. She was also disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for one year.
• Shelly M. Urban, 45, of Conneautville, Crawford County, received more than $1,900 in SNAP benefits. Urban was sentenced to two years probation, 30 days house arrest and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs and fines.  She was also disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for one year.
• Raelynn Vantassel, 26, of Sharon, Mercer County, received more than $3,250 in cash assistance and SNAP benefits. Vantassel was sentenced to 15 months probation, 100 hours community services and was ordered to pay full restitution and costs.  Additionally, she was disqualified from receiving cash assistance for six months and SNAP benefits for one year.
• Misty M. Walters, 35, of Butler, Butler County, received more than $13,850 in Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and SNAP benefits. Walters was sentenced to four years probation, 25 hours community service and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs, and fines. Additionally, she was disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for one year.
• Norma L. Whipple, 46, of Reynoldsville, Jefferson County, received more than $30,250 in cash assistance, LIHEAP, medical assistance, and SNAP benefits.  Whipple was sentenced to two years probation and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs, and fines. Additionally, she was disqualified from receiving cash assistance benefits for six months and SNAP benefits for one year.
• Jennifer L. Zeigler, 38, of Shermans Dale, Perry County, received more than $1,250 in SNAP benefits. Ziegler was sentenced to one year probation and ordered to pay full restitution. She was also disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for one year.

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