Pennsylvania Office of Inspector General Announces March 2013 Welfare Fraud Adjudications

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 16, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Eleven Pennsylvania residents pleaded guilty to welfare fraud and/or were sentenced for their crimes during March, the Office of Inspector General announced today.

"The Office of Inspector General has a commitment to the public's well-being, which includes protecting public resources," Acting Inspector General Michael A. Sprow said. "Allowing public funds to be stolen by those who are not qualified to receive them would be a breach of that commitment.''

"The Office of Inspector General has agents in every single county working hard to ensure that benefits go to those who are truly in need," Sprow added.                                                                           

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

• Brooke A. Arnold, 23, of Lewistown, Mifflin County, received more than $900 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.  Arnold was sentenced to nine months probation and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs, and fines. She was also disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for a period of 12 months. 
• Jennifer L. (Close) Birch, 34, of Bradford, McKean County, received more than $5,300 in medical assistance and SNAP benefits. Birch was sentenced to two years probation and was ordered to pay full restitution and costs. She was also disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for a period of 12 months.
• Elizabeth M. Greer, 26, of Titusville, Crawford County, received more than $3,000 in SNAP benefits. Greer was sentenced to one year probation, one month house arrest and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs, and fines.  She was also disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for a period of 12 months.  
• Lanni M. Higby-Parkhurst, 34, of Meadville, Crawford County, received more than $6,950 in subsidized child care and SNAP benefits. Higby-Parkhurst was sentenced to one year probation, 20 hours community service and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs, and fines. Additionally, she was disqualified from receiving subsidized child care benefits for a period of six months and SNAP benefits for a period of 12 months. 
• Donna M. Hunter, 51, of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, received more than $18,750 in medical assistance and SNAP benefits. Hunter was sentenced to three years probation and was ordered to pay full restitution and costs. She was also disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for a period of 12 months. 
• Irvin R. Messner Jr., 42, of Ephrata, Lancaster County, received more than $2,550 in SNAP benefits. Messner was ordered to pay full restitution and costs. He was also disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for a period of 12 months.
• David C. Mitchell, 47, and Stacey L. Mitchell, 45, of Conneaut Lake, Crawford County, received more than $12,700 in cash assistance, medical assistance, and SNAP benefits. The Mitchells were each sentenced to five years probation, three months house arrest and were ordered to pay full restitution, costs, and fines. Additionally, they were disqualified from receiving cash assistance benefits for a period of six months and SNAP benefits for a period of 12 months.
• Amanda L. Shumaker, 25, of Hartstown, Crawford County, received more than $2,050 in cash assistance and SNAP benefits. Shumaker was sentenced to five years probation, two months house arrest and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs, and fines. Additionally, she was disqualified from receiving cash assistance benefits for a period of six months and SNAP benefits for a period of 12 months. 
• Melissa H. Smith, 43, of Kittanning, Armstrong County, received more than $3,000 in cash assistance and SNAP benefits.  Smith was sentenced to two years probation, 30 hours of community service and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs, and fines.  Additionally, she was disqualified from receiving cash assistance benefits for a period of six months and SNAP benefits for a period of 12 months. 
• Jane D. Yancoskie, 48, of Lancaster, Lancaster County, received more than $3,450 in SNAP benefits. Yancoskie was ordered to pay full restitution and costs. Additionally, she was disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for a period of 12 months. 

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 (DPW). 

The Office of Inspector General works with DPW's 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: James H. Timko, 717-787-6835

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of Inspector General