Office of Inspector General Announces April Welfare Fraud Adjudications

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 25, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Inspector General Kenya Mann Faulkner today released the following recent Office of Inspector General welfare fraud case adjudications. The defendants pleaded guilty to welfare fraud and/or were sentenced for their crimes during April.

"The Office of Inspector General works to safeguard public assistance funds to ensure assistance remains available to those who are eligible," Faulkner said. "This effort is always important, but especially so in uncertain economic times. Individuals who knowingly commit fraud will be held accountable and required to pay full restitution to the state."  

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

• Shannon M. Anewalt, 33, of Lewistown, Mifflin County, received more than $1,300 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Anewalt was sentenced to 12 months probation and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs, and fines.
• Lauren N. Demeo-Wozniak, 28, of Blakeslee, Carbon County, received more than $16,200 in subsidized child care. Demeo-Wozniak was sentenced to two years probation and was ordered to pay full restitution and costs.
• Tammy L. Feld, 37, of Jeannette, Westmoreland County, received more than $2,300 in SNAP benefits. Feld was sentenced to two years probation and was ordered to pay full restitution and costs.
• Trinity L. Lucas, 30, of Easton, Northampton County, formerly of Williamsport, Lycoming County, received more than $2,900 in cash assistance and SNAP benefits. Lucas was sentenced to 36 months probation and 50 hours community service and was ordered to pay full restitution and costs.
• Alice E. Rivera-Rodriguez, 42, of Columbia, Lancaster County, formerly of Allentown, Lehigh County, received more than $6,600 in cash assistance and SNAP benefits. Rivera-Rodriguez was sentenced to one year probation and was ordered to pay full restitution and costs.
• Buffy D. Spade, 40, of Lewistown, Mifflin County, received more than $2,100 in SNAP benefits. Spade was sentenced to 12 months probation and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs, and fines.
• Kathy M. Sterner, 44, of Bellefonte, Centre County, received more than $1,500 in SNAP benefits. Sterner was sentenced to one year probation and was ordered to pay full restitution and costs.
• Randy J. Van Syckle, 49, of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, received more than $1,150 in SNAP benefits. Van Syckle was sentenced to 12 months probation and was ordered to pay full restitution and costs.

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.

For more information about Pennsylvania's Office of Inspector General, visit www.oig.state.pa.us.

Media contact: Amy L. Butler, 717-787-6835

SOURCE Office Of Inspector General

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