PA Welfare Fraud Crackdown: 344 Charged, $1.78M In Stolen Benefits In 2017, Officials Say

The Pennsylvania Office of Inspector General is cracking down on welfare fraud, filing charges against 344 residents so far this year. A total of $1,782,218 has been stolen from Pennsylvania via welfare fraud in 2017, officials said this week.

The most recent batch of charges were announced Wednesday.

The latest list includes charges against 68 people in May who allegedly defrauded the state through benefits programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Program (SNAP) as well as medical assistance, cash assistance, subsidized day care and the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

“Our investigators are zealous in pursuing all cases, regardless of the amount, because it’s taxpayer money and stopping fraud means making those benefits available to Pennsylvanians who truly need them," said Inspector General Bruce R. Beemer in a statement.

Many of the individuals charged are accused of taking just a few hundred dollars in undeserved benefits. But many others have accepted thousands of dollars of money they should not have, officials say. Fraud includes not reporting income, not accurately reporting who lives in your household, allowing someone else to use your benefits or just "taking advantage of the system in any way," according to the Office of Inspector General.

Some of the most extreme charges filed so far this year include:

• • Misty R. Hunter, 35, of Tidioute in Warren County, for $37,767 in SNAP fraud, $11,842.98 in medical assistance fraud and $3,299.34 in LIHEAP fraud.
• Dinah M. Mason, 59, of Irwin in Westmoreland County, for $4,653 in SNAP fraud and $24,565.55 in medical assistance fraud.
• Brenda S. Castro, 47, of Macungie in Lehigh County, for $19,406 in SNAP fraud, $36,448.56 in medical assistance fraud and $100 in LIHEAP fraud.
• Nicole M. Spagnolia, 35, of Royersford in Montgomery County, for $17,953 in SNAP fraud, $17,581 in subsidized day care fraud and $4,941.79 in cash assistance fraud.
• Tanya E. Keenan-Mack, 37, of Williamsport in Lycoming County, for SNAP trafficking and access device fraud for unlawfully selling her EBT card in exchange for heroin, resulting in the withdrawal of $194 in SNAP benefits.

Here's a look at the total number of welfare fraud charges filed each month so far this year by the Office of Inspector General.

You can click on the month to see a full list of the names of defendants, who hail from across the state.

JANUARY

In January, welfare fraud charges were filed against 68 people. The charges will generate a total of $420,018.93 in restitution , as well as additional cost savings as the defendants will be temporarily disqualified from receiving public benefits in the programs they defrauded.

For January, the restitution totals by benefits program are $273,166.89 for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), $90,943.61 for medical assistance, $24,190.72 for cash assistance, $22,620 for subsidized day care and $9,097.71 for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

FEBRUARY

In February, welfare fraud charges were filed against 77 people. The charges will generate a total of $552,780.07 in restitution as well as additional cost savings because the defendants will be temporarily disqualified from receiving public benefits in the programs they defrauded.

For February, the restitution totals by benefits program amounted to: $319,184.28 for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), $101,162.23 for medical assistance, $114,317.76 for subsidized day care, $15,727.80 for cash assistance and $2,388 for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

MARCH

In March, welfare fraud charges were filed against 67 people. These charges will generate a total of $252,176.66 in restitution, as well as additional cost savings because the defendants will be temporarily disqualified from receiving public benefits in the programs they defrauded.

For March, the restitution totals by benefits program amounted to: $179,403.42 for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), $46,968.01 for medical assistance, $20,785.23 for subsidized day care, $4,120 for cash assistance and $900 for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

APRIL

In April, welfare fraud charges were filed against 64 people. The restitution owed in these cases totals $287,659.80. Additional cost savings will be realized as the defendants will be temporarily disqualified from receiving public benefits in the programs they defrauded

For April, the restitution totals by benefits program amounted to: $187,241.19 for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), $37,052.89 for medical assistance, $46,494.20 for subsidized day care, $11,348.18 for cash assistance and $5,523.34 for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

MAY

In May, welfare fraud charges were filed against 68 people. The restitution owed in these cases totals $269,585.68.

For May 2017, the restitution totals by benefits program amounted to: $170,645.35 for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), $75,318.67 for medical assistance, $1,692 for subsidized day care, $17,954.36 for cash assistance and $3,975.30 for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

"Individuals, including public employees, are encouraged to contact the OIG with information regarding fraud, waste and abuse within state government and welfare fraud. If something looks wrong to you, you should report it to the OIG," the office says on its website.

To report fraud, call 1-855-FRAUD-PA (1-855-372-8372).