Pennsylvania Office of Inspector General Announces May 2013 Welfare Fraud Adjudications

HARRISBURG, June 17, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Seventeen Pennsylvania residents pleaded guilty to welfare fraud and/or were sentenced for their crimes during May, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) announced today.

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

• Kathy L. Bermudez, 39, of Spartansburg, Crawford County, received more than $3,650 in Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.  Bermudez was sentenced to two years probation and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs, and fines. She was also disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for a period of one year.  
• Tami R. Freeman, 42, of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, received more than $11,550 in SNAP benefits.  Freeman was sentenced to five years probation and was ordered to pay full restitution and costs. She was also disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for a period of one year.  
• Christopher L. Glover, 42, of Lewistown, Mifflin County, received more than $5,200 in SNAP benefits. Glover was ordered to pay full restitution, costs, and fines. He was also disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for a period of one year. 
• Maria E. Gonzalez, 32, and Brian K. Arledge, 34, of Oberlin, Dauphin County, received more than $1,900 in SNAP benefits. Both were sentenced to one year probation and were ordered to pay full restitution and costs.  Additionally, both were disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for a period of one year.  
• Krista M. Hanna, 39, of Paradise, Lancaster County, received more than $2,500 in SNAP benefits. Hanna was ordered to pay full restitution, costs, and fines. She was also disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for a period of 12 months. 
• Cynthia Johnson, 31, of McKeesport, Allegheny County, received more than $13,350 in subsidized daycare benefits. Johnson was sentenced to six years probation and was ordered to pay full restitution and costs.  
• Bobbi Metz, 28, of Vandergrift, Westmoreland County, received more than $1,550 in SNAP benefits. Metz was sentenced to 15 months probation, 20 hours community service, and was ordered to pay full restitution and costs.  She was also disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for a period of one year. 
• Jeffrey L. Nagle, 50, of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, received more than $2,050 in cash assistance and SNAP benefits. Nagle was sentenced to two years probation and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs, and fines.  Additionally, he was disqualified from receiving cash assistance benefits for a period of six months and SNAP benefits for a period of one year.  
• Carmen Oronos, 39, of Bethlehem, Northampton County, received more than $4,200 in SNAP benefits. Oronos was sentenced to four years probation and was ordered to pay full restitution and costs. She was also disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for a period of one year.  
• Tracy Ray, 52, of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, received more than $1,450 in cash assistance and SNAP benefits. Ray was sentenced to one year probation and was ordered to pay full restitution and costs. Additionally, she was disqualified from receiving cash assistance benefits for a period of six months and SNAP benefits for a period of one year.  
• Jessica M. Sanchez, 34, of Gettysburg, Adams County, received more than $8,400 in medical assistance and SNAP benefits.  Sanchez was sentenced to three years probation, five months house arrest, and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs, and fines.  She was also disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for a period of one year.  
• Michele C. Shipe, 39, of St. Marys, Elk County, received more than $3,300 in SNAP benefits. Shipe was sentenced to 18 months probation and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs, and fines. She was also disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for a period of one year.  
• Jason G. Shook, 36, of Jamestown, Crawford County, received more than $2,100 in SNAP benefits. Shook was sentenced to 18 months probation and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs, and fines. He was also disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for a period of one year.  
• Todd M. Stoe, 40, of Strasburg, Lancaster County, received more than $2,000 in cash assistance and SNAP benefits. Stoe was ordered to pay full restitution, costs, and fines. Additionally, he was disqualified from receiving cash assistance benefits for a period of six months and SNAP benefits for a period of one year.  
• Patricia A. Winder, 50, of Lancaster, Lancaster County, received more than $1,600 in SNAP benefits. Winder was ordered to pay full restitution and costs. She was also disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for a period of one year.  
• John P. Yocum, 32, of Lewistown, Mifflin County, received more than $1,250 in cash assistance and SNAP benefits. Yocum was sentenced to one year probation and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs, and fines.  Additionally, he was disqualified from receiving cash assistance benefits for a period of six months and SNAP benefits for a period of one year.  

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