Over 90 State Residents Charged with Public Assistance Fraud
(Harrisburg, PA)More than 90 Pennsylvania residents have been charged with public assistance fraud, according to state officials. The charges were announced by the Office of State Inspector General (OSIG) and include 70 felony charges, which could result in a maximum penalty of seven years in prison.
The individuals are accused of misusing public assistance benefits, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), cash assistance, and subsidized care benefits. The fraudulent activities allegedly involved misrepresenting household circumstances and receiving taxpayer-funded public benefits to which they were not entitled.
If all the accused individuals are convicted, they would be required to pay back a combined total of over $400,000. "Combatting benefits fraud is essential to preserving public trust in these programs and making sure they serve those who genuinely need support," said State Inspector General Lucas M. Miller. "OSIG remains committed to holding accountable those who attempt to defraud taxpayers and misuse public resources."
In addition to potential prison time and fines, those convicted of fraud related to SNAP, cash assistance, or subsidized care benefits will be disqualified from the program they defrauded. The OSIG encourages anyone who suspects welfare fraud to report it either on their website or by calling the Welfare Fraud Tipline at 1-800-932-0582.