Pennsylvania Office of Inspector General Announces September Welfare Fraud Adjudications

HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Nine Pennsylvania residents pleaded guilty to welfare fraud and/or were sentenced for their crimes during September, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) announced today.

"Welfare fraud is not 'beating the system'; it's a crime against all Pennsylvania taxpayers," Inspector General Kenya Mann Faulkner said. "Our office works to ensure those who commit this crime are prosecuted and fully reimburse taxpayers."

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

• Tyniecia Bivins, 39, of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, received more than $47,700 in subsidized child care benefits. Bivens was sentenced to 84 months probation and was ordered to pay full restitution.
• Michael A. Bogas, 47, of Mifflinburg, Union County, received more than $7,200 in cash assistance and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Bogas was sentenced to 5 years probation and was ordered to pay full restitution and costs.
• Teresa A. Haas, 48, of Jamestown, Mercer County, formerly of Conneaut Lake, Crawford County, received more than $2,400 in SNAP benefits. Haas was sentenced to 60 months probation and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs, and fines.
• Kevin C. Heeman, 21, of Hughesville, Lycoming County, formerly of Montgomery, Lycoming County, received more than $2,800 in SNAP benefits. Heeman was sentenced to 24 months probation and was ordered to pay full restitution and costs.
• Mark J. Kilian, 54, of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, received more than $1,300 in cash assistance and SNAP benefits. Kilian was sentenced to 12 months probation and was ordered to pay full restitution.
• Christie A. Lenker, 36, of Lewistown, Mifflin County, received more than $4,500 in cash assistance and SNAP benefits. Lenker was sentenced to 18 months probation and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs, and fines.
• Julie A. Mazurek, 32, of Bechtelsville, Berks County, received more than $1,200 in cash assistance and SNAP benefits. Mazurek was sentenced to 2 years probation and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs, and fines.
• Barbara A. Rollick, 53, of Woodland, Clearfield County, formerly of Weedville, Elk County, received more than $14,200 in SNAP benefits. Rollick was sentenced to 7 years probation and was ordered to pay full restitution and costs.
• David Wilmer, 60, of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, received more than $2,500 in SNAP benefits. Wilmer was sentenced to 18 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 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: Richard S. Delia, 717-787-6835

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of Inspector General