The Office of State Inspector General (OSIG) in Pennsylvania has filed charges against 103 individuals for public assistance fraud. The charges, filed in July and August 2024, involve fraudulent activities related to food stamps, cash assistance, and subsidized daycare programs. The alleged fraud has cost taxpayers over $680,000.
According to the OSIG, 102 of the individuals face felony charges, while one person is charged with a misdemeanor. If convicted, the maximum penalty for public assistance fraud is seven years in prison and a fine of $15,000. In addition, those convicted will be temporarily disqualified from receiving public benefits in the programs they allegedly defrauded.
State Inspector General Lucas M. Miller stated, "Each of these charges is a reminder of our responsibility to protect the integrity of the Commonwealth’s resources. We remain vigilant in our efforts to ensure that public assistance benefits are used as intended—to support those who are truly in need." (source)
The Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary, Dr. Val Arkoosh, echoed Miller's sentiments, emphasizing the importance of protecting public assistance programs. She stated, "DHS works diligently to ensure the benefits we administer remain available to those who deserve them, and we are proud to partner with OSIG every day to refer suspected public assistance fraud and maintain the responsible stewardship of these essential programs." (source)
The OSIG and DHS work in close coordination to investigate potential fraud or abuse of programs. The OSIG also conducts collection activities for the public benefits programs administered by the DHS. The charges filed are part of ongoing efforts to combat fraud and protect taxpayer dollars while ensuring that public assistance benefits remain available to those who truly need them.
Links
https://www.media.pa.gov/pages/inspector-general-details.aspx?newsid=83https://fcfreepresspa.com/103-pennsylvania-welfare-recipients-charged-with-fraud-state-to-recoup-680000/https://gazette.com/news/wex/welfare-fraud-charges-filed-against-103-recipients-in-pennsylvania/article_dbc35884-7ab4-5a5f-baf0-fa89f07519bd.html