PENNSYLVANIA — The Office of State Inspector General (OSIG) has filed charges against 48 individuals suspected of public assistance fraud in October 2023. The defendants allegedly owe the Commonwealth a total of $214,029 in restitution. Furthermore, these individuals will be temporarily disqualified from receiving public benefits in the programs they reportedly defrauded, leading to additional cost savings.
State Inspector General Lucas M. Miller emphasized the gravity of such fraudulent actions, stating, “Those who defraud the public assistance system are stealing from the most vulnerable among us. They are taking resources away from those who truly need them and undermining the integrity of vital programs.”
The OSIG is responsible for investigating and prosecuting public assistance fraud. It also handles collection activities for public benefits programs run by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS).
During October 2023, the OSIG lodged felony criminal charges against 45 individuals for fraudulently obtaining public assistance. Three more individuals were charged with misdemeanor offenses. These individuals allegedly misrepresented their household circumstances to illegally receive taxpayer-funded public benefits.
If found guilty, the maximum penalty for public assistance fraud includes seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine. In cases involving fraud related to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Cash Assistance, or Subsidized Day Care, defendants would also face a mandatory disqualification period from the benefits program they purportedly defrauded.
However, it’s important to note that all accused individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The OSIG works closely with DHS to investigate potential fraud or abuse of Pennsylvania’s public assistance programs based on referrals made by DHS or tips from the public. Suspected welfare fraud can be reported anonymously on the OSIG website or through the Welfare Fraud Tipline at 1-800-932-0582.
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