Pennsylvania Office of Inspector General Announces April 2012 Welfare Fraud Adjudications

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 17, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Ten Pennsylvania residents pleaded guilty to welfare fraud and/or were sentenced for their crimes during April, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) announced today.

"These cases should send a powerful message to those who abuse the system and claim benefits to which they are not entitled," Inspector General Kenya Mann Faulkner said. "We will not tolerate welfare fraud and are working hard to eradicate it."

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

• Ceiarra N. Case, 26, of Altoona, Blair County, received more than $1,050 in cash assistance benefits. Case was sentenced to 18 months probation and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs, and fines.
• Anne M. Delgado, 49, of Lancaster, Lancaster County, received more than $2,700 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.  Delgado was sentenced to three years probation and was ordered to pay full restitution and costs.
• Lori B. Hoffman, 31, of Lewistown, Mifflin County, received more than $1,250 in SNAP benefits.  Hoffman was sentenced to one year probation and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs, and fines.
• Raquel Jackson, 43, of Pottsville, Schuylkill County, formerly of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, received more than $2,950 in SNAP and cash assistance benefits. Jackson was sentenced to 24 months probation and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs, and fines.
• Latifa Parker, 33, of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, received more than $16,000 in cash assistance benefits. Parker was sentenced to five years probation and was ordered to pay restitution of $16,000 and costs. 
• Carol A. Shank, 48, and Dennis L. Shank, 44, of Elizabethtown, Lancaster County, received more than $3,150 in SNAP benefits. They were sentenced to pay full restitution, costs, and fines.
• Debbie D. Stussi, 41, of Guys Mills, Crawford County, received more than $6,600 in SNAP benefits. Stussi was sentenced to 45 days house arrest, 84 months probation, and was ordered to pay full restitution and fines. 
• Shawna Thomas, 34, of Clairton, Allegheny County, formerly of Glassport, Allegheny County, received more than $14,300 in subsidized child care benefits. Thomas was sentenced to six years probation and to pay full restitution.
• Shirlene A. Virgils, 42, of Conneaut Lake, Crawford County, received more than $15,700 in SNAP and Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) benefits. Virgils was sentenced to 30 days in jail, 30 days house arrest, 48 months probation and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs, 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. 

The Office of Inspector General works with the Department of Public Welfare and 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 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: Melissa K. Yerges, 717-787-6835

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of Inspector General

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