Two Crawford County Women Receive Prison Sentences For Welfare Fraud

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 30, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 28-year-old Deanna D. Baechtel, of Conneaut Lake, Crawford County, was ordered incarcerated at the Crawford County Correctional Facility by Judge John F. Spataro after pleading guilty to misdemeanor welfare fraud charges.  Baechtel illegally received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and medical assistance benefits in excess of $28,350.

Judge Spataro sentenced Baechtel to 10 days incarceration, and one month home confinement.  In addition, Baechtel received five years probation, and was ordered to pay full restitution, court costs, fees, and fines.  Baechtel was disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for a period of 12 months.  

44-year-old Charlene M. Nadolny, of Saegertown, Crawford County, was ordered incarcerated at the Crawford County Correctional Facility by Judge Anthony J. Vardaro after pleading guilty to felony welfare fraud charges.  Nadolny illegally received SNAP, LIHEAP, and medical assistance benefits in excess of $33,350.

Judge Vardaro sentenced Nadolny to 10 months to 23 months 29 days incarceration, five years probation, and ordered her to pay full restitution, court costs, fees, and fines.  Nadolny was disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for a period of 12 months.  

The following 20 individuals were also recently prosecuted for fraudulently receiving public assistance benefits:

• Patti S. Butler, 30, of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, received more than $3,550 in cash assistance benefits.  Butler pleaded guilty, was sentenced to 24 months probation, and was ordered to pay full restitution, court costs, and fees.  She was disqualified from receiving cash assistance benefits for a period of six months.
  
• Michelle A. Clark, 46, of Masontown, Fayette County, received more than $2,200 in SNAP benefits.  Clark pleaded guilty, was sentenced to 24 months probation, and was ordered to pay full restitution, court costs, fees, and fines.  She was disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for a period of 12 months.
  
• Kevin Creasy, 30, of East Petersburg, Lancaster County, received more than $3,900 in SNAP benefits.  Creasy pleaded guilty, was sentenced to four years probation, and was ordered to pay full restitution, court costs, and fees.  He was disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for a period of 12 months.
  
• Rachel L. Gant, 28, of Lancaster, Lancaster County, received more than $2,450 in SNAP benefits.  Gant pleaded guilty, was sentenced to 24 months probation, and was ordered to pay full restitution, court costs, fees, and fines.  She was disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for a period of 12 months.
  
• Donnie L. Gerard, 53, of Saegertown, Crawford County, received more than $5,700 in medical assistance benefits.  Gerard pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 90 days home confinement, 36 months probation, and was ordered to pay full restitution, court costs, fees and fines. 
  
• Solomon Milton, 66, of Ambridge, Beaver County, received more than $700 in SNAP benefits.  Solomon pleaded guilty, was sentenced to 24 months probation, and was ordered to pay full restitution, court costs, fees, and fines.  He was disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for a period of 12 months.
  
• Sabria R. Minott, 29, of East Stroudsburg, Monroe County, received more than $1,500 in SNAP benefits.  Minott pleaded guilty and was ordered to pay full restitution, court costs, and fines.  She was disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for a period of 12 months.
  
• Ragen N. Moody, 37, of Meadville, Crawford County, received more than $7,050 in SNAP benefits.  Moody pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 90 days home confinement, 36 months probation, and was ordered to pay full restitution, court costs, fees, and fines.  She was disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for a period of 12 months.
  
• Raneta Robinson, 49, of Braddock, Allegheny County, received $1,200 in cash assistance benefits.  Robinson pleaded guilty, was sentenced to 12 months probation, and was ordered to pay full restitution, court costs, and fees.  She was disqualified from receiving cash assistance benefits for a period of six months. 
  
• Talisha D. Smith, 31, of Erie, Erie County, received $2,400 in cash assistance and SNAP benefits.  Smith pleaded guilty, was sentenced to 24 months probation, and was ordered to pay full restitution, court costs, and fees.  She was disqualified from receiving cash assistance benefits for a period of six months and SNAP benefits for a period of 12 months. 
  
• Tonya A. Smith, 42, of Lancaster, Lancaster County, received more than $2,250 in SNAP benefits.  Smith pleaded guilty, was sentenced to three years probation, and was ordered to pay full restitution, court costs, fees, and fines.  She was disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for a period of 12 months.
  
• Brandi M. Spencer, 28, of Fenelton, Butler County, received $13,700 in SNAP benefits.  Spencer pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 30 days home confinement, 18 months probation, and was ordered to pay full restitution, court costs, fees, and fines.  She was disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for a period of 12 months.
  
• Elnora D. Stevenson, 40, of Parkesburg, Chester County, received more than $4,600 in SNAP benefits.  Stevenson pleaded guilty, was sentenced to 24 months probation, and was ordered to pay full restitution and court costs.  She was disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for a period of 12 months.
  
• Engelbert Torres, 40, and Delores A. Vincent, 41, both of Lancaster, Lancaster County, received more than $1,050 in SNAP benefits.  Torres and Vincent pleaded guilty and were sentenced to 12 months probation, ordered to pay full restitution, court costs, fees, and fines.  They were disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for a period of 12 months.
  
• Francisco Velez, 55, of Lancaster, Lancaster County, received more than $3,350 in SNAP benefits.  Velez pleaded guilty, was sentenced to three years probation, and was ordered to pay full restitution, court costs, fees, and fines.  He was disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for a period of 12 months.
  
• Danny E. Vogel, 34, and Jessica M. Belknap, 30, both of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, received more than $2,700 in cash assistance and SNAP benefits.  Vogel and Belknap pleaded guilty, were sentenced to 18 months probation, and were ordered to pay full restitution.  They were disqualified from receiving cash assistance benefits for a period of six months and SNAP benefits for a period of 12 months.
  
• Shannon Wells, 35, of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, received more than $12,000 in cash assistance benefits.  Wells pleaded guilty, was sentenced to 12 months probation, and was ordered to pay full restitution.
  
• Carrie A. Yingling, 33, of McConnellsburg, Fulton County, received more than $8,400 in Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and SNAP benefits.  Yingling pleaded guilty, was sentenced to 12 months probation, and was ordered to pay full restitution, court costs, and fees.  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. 

Those 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

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