Pennsylvania Office of Inspector General Announces October 2012 Welfare Fraud Adjudications

HARRISBURG, Pa., , Nov. 15, 2012  /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Nine Pennsylvania residents pleaded guilty to welfare fraud and/or were sentenced for their crimes during October, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) announced today.

"Being lenient with individuals who commit welfare fraud sends the message that it's acceptable to cheat the system," Inspector General Kenya Mann Faulkner said.  "Welfare fraud is a serious crime and the OIG will not give a slap on the wrist to fraudulent individuals."

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

·         Quniah A. Beasley, 26, of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, received more than $4,700 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.  Beasley was sentenced to four years probation and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs, and fines. 

·         Yolanda L. Johnson, 36, of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, received $9,450 in subsidized child care benefits. Johnson was sentenced to two years probation and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs, and fines. 

·         Jeffrey D. Leins, 44, of Aston, Delaware County, formerly of Colwyn, Delaware County, received more than $1,200 in cash assistance benefits.  Leins was sentenced to two years probation and was ordered to pay full restitution and costs. 

·         Theresa D. Matthews, 26, of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, received more than $1,150 in cash assistance benefits.  Matthews was sentenced to 18 months probation and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs, and fines. 

·         Damaris Perez, 32, of Lebanon, Lebanon County, received more than $1,850 in cash assistance and SNAP benefits.  Perez was sentenced to 12 to 18 months probation and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs, and fines. 

·         Lester S. Rodman, 34, of Johnsonburg, Elk County, received more than $2,400 in SNAP benefits.  Rodman was sentenced to five years probation and ordered to pay restitution, costs, and fines. 

·         Liz B. Ruiz, 41, of Shillington, Berks County, received more than $54,850 in cash assistance, SNAP, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program benefits, and medical assistance benefits.  Ruiz was sentenced to five years probation and was ordered to pay full restitution.

·         Kathern J. White, 34, of Meadville, Crawford County, received more than $8,900 in SNAP benefits.  White was sentenced to 40 days to two years in prison, five years probation, 20 hours per week community service and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs, and fines. 

·         Abbie L. Wright, 39, of Wilmington, Del., formerly of Chester, Delaware County, received more than $3,350 in SNAP benefits.  Wright was sentenced to three years 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. 

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 convicted 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