Hamden Woman Charged with Stealing Nearly $10K in EBT Funds

HAMDEN, CT — A Hamden woman, a former employee of the state Department of Social Services, is accused of stealing nearly $10,000 by illegally issuing public assistance benefits to her father, her daughter and the father of her daughter, according to authorities.

Charra Moore, 55, of Helen Street, was arrested Monday by Inspectors from the Statewide Prosecution Bureau in the Office of the Chief State's Attorney and charged with one count of first-degree larceny and one count of committing Prohibited Activities in violation of the State Code of Ethics, according to a press release.

According to the arrest warrant affidavit, Moore, while employed by DSS, created accounts providing $9,764 in cash benefits via electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards to her father, her daughter and the father of her daughter.

The benefits were authorized as cash assistance or through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which was previously known as the Food Stamp program.

Moore was released on a $1,000 non-surety bond and is scheduled to appear in Hartford Superior Court on Oct. 7.

Larceny in the First Degree is a Class B felony punishable by not less than 1 year nor more than 20 years in prison, and a fine up to $15,000. Committing Prohibited Activities is a Class D felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine up to $5,000.

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