Pennsylvania Office of Inspector General Announces July Welfare Fraud Adjudications
HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 30, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Thirteen Pennsylvania residents pleaded guilty to welfare fraud and/or were sentenced for their crimes during July, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) announced today.
"There is no tolerance for individuals who deliberately cheat the welfare system," Inspector General Kenya Mann Faulkner said. "Our office works with all district attorneys to eliminate welfare fraud through prosecution, helping to preserve tax payer dollars for the truly needy."
Faulkner said the OIG employs investigators and agents across the state to pursue all leads, referrals, and tips. Investigators help to ensure that those who are ineligible for public assistance are prevented from collecting benefits at the application stage; while agents focus on recovering benefits issued to those individuals found to be ineligible.
The following individuals were prosecuted and sentenced for fraudulently receiving public assistance benefits:
- Billy V. Barker, 29, of Lower Burrell, Westmoreland County, received more than $2,200 in SNAP benefits. Barker was sentenced to 2 years probation and was ordered to pay full restitution and costs.
- Tanja Bowers, 27, of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, received $5,500 in subsidized child care benefits. Bowers was sentenced 3 years probation and was ordered to pay restitution, costs, and fines.
- Marianne Burkholder, 40, of Breezewood, Bedford County, received more than $2,350 in SNAP benefits. Burkholder was sentenced to 5 months probation and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs, and fines.
- Amy L. Figard, 29, of Auburn, Schuylkill County, formerly of Reading, Berks County, received more than $1,650 in SNAP benefits. Figard was sentenced to 2 years probation and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs, and fines.
- Susan M. Haddock, 49, of Altoona, Blair County, received more than $3,850 in SNAP benefits. Haddock was sentenced to 12 months probation and 25 hours community service and was ordered to pay full restitution and fines.
- Sherry K. Miller, 40, of Alverton, Westmoreland County, received more than $5,300 in SNAP benefits. Miller was sentenced to 2 years probation and was ordered to pay full restitution and costs.
- Shannon M. Montgomery, 36, and Devin M. Montgomery, 37, both of Hermitage, Mercer County, received more than $11,000 in SNAP benefits. Both were sentenced to 1 year probation and were ordered to pay full restitution and costs.
- Donna L. Robertson, 44, of Lewistown, Mifflin County, received more than $1,550 in SNAP benefits. Robertson was sentenced to 15 months probation and ordered to pay full restitution, costs, and fines.
- Williana Roman, 23, of Reading, Berks County, received more than $2,500 in cash assistance benefits. Roman was sentenced to 5 years probation and ordered to pay full restitution, costs, and fines.
- Sheree Roth, 24, of Erie, Erie County, received more than $11,450 in cash assistance and SNAP benefits. Roth was sentenced to 5 years probation and was ordered to pay full restitution and costs.
- Nicole M. Waldron, 31, of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, received more than $900 in cash assistance. Waldron was sentenced to 12 months probation and ordered to pay full restitution, costs, and fines.
- Sheila Walker, 47, of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, received more than $1,300 in cash assistance and SNAP benefits. Walker was sentenced to 12 months probation and ordered to pay full restitution, costs, and fines.
- Tresa A. Walker, 43, of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, received more than $4,500 in SNAP benefits. Walker was sentenced to 60 months probation and ordered to pay full restitution and fines.
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.
Each year, the Office of Inspector General works with county assistance offices statewide to identify suspected cases of public assistance fraud and with local district attorneys to bring the cases to prosecution.
Anyone 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 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: Richard S. Delia, 717-787-6835
SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of Inspector General
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