Office of Inspector General Announces December 2011 Welfare Fraud Adjudications

HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Eight Pennsylvania residents pleaded guilty to welfare fraud and/or were sentenced for their crimes during December, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) announced today.

"It's only fair to taxpayers that scarce public assistance resources are reserved only for those who are truly eligible," Inspector General Kenya Mann Faulkner said. "The cases closed in December will result in nearly $50,000 being returned to the commonwealth."

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

• Elba I. Borges, 39, of Mt. Penn, Berks County, formerly of Reading, Berks County, received more than $5,450 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Borges was sentenced to 2 years probation, 24 hours community service and was ordered to pay full restitution and fines.
• Debra Halleran, 43, of Macungie, Lehigh County, received more than $5,800 in cash assistance and SNAP benefits.  Halleran was sentenced to 1 year probation and was ordered to pay full restitution and costs.
• Edshena L. Harris, 36, of Liverpool, Perry County, formerly of Oberlin, Dauphin County, received more than $1,950 in SNAP benefits. Harris was sentenced to 12 months probation and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs, and fines.
• Michelle L. Kisner, 31, of Northampton, Northampton County, formerly of Walnutport, Northampton County, received more than $6,350 in SNAP benefits. Kisner was sentenced to 23 months probation and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs, and fines.
• Sandy M. Lago, 33, of Springboro, Crawford County, received more than $3,700 in SNAP benefits. Lago was sentenced to 48 months probation and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs, and fines.
• Jacqueline M. Lane, 36, of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, received more than $19,200 in SNAP and subsidized childcare benefits. Lane was sentenced to 48 months probation and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs, and fines.
• Connie S. Thilges, 44, of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, received more than $4,150 in SNAP benefits. Thilges was sentenced to 42 months probation and was ordered to pay full restitution and fines.
• Deborah E. White, 53, of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, received more than $3,050 in SNAP benefits. White was ordered to pay full restitution.

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 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