GOP State Rep. From Salem Indicted For Welfare Fraud

SALEM, NH — A local state representative has been indicted on welfare fraud in Hillsborough County Superior Court-South in Nashua. John Manning, 65, a Republican, who lives on Maclarnon Road in Salem, was indicted this month on two felony counts of public assistance; prohibited acts. According to the indictment, Manning received cash and food stamp benefits he was not entitled to because he reportedly made false statement to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.

Editor's Note: This post was derived from info supplied by the Hillsborough County Superior Court-South. It does not indicate a conviction. This link explains the name removal request process for New Hampshire Patch police reports.

Those statements – stating that he had a niece who was a household member between March 1, 2013, and Sept. 30, 2014, when she was not residing in his home and failing to report earnings working for his son at the Rockingham Café between June 1, and July 31, 2015 – led to Manning allegedly receiving nearly $13,500 that he was not entitled to receive.

Accumulatively, Manning could be facing 10 to 22 years in prison, up to $8,000 in fines, and restitution of the money to the state. He is currently serving his third term in the House.

According to the New Hampshire Union Leader, Manning did not know that he had been indicted on the counts this week. County Attorney Dennis Hogan would not offer comment on the specifics of the case or why it took the county so many years to find out about the alleged illegal benefits.

Manning is due in court on Dec. 15, according to the report.

Image via Manning’s Facebook site.