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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 27, 2016
HARRISBURG, Pa. – During the month of September 2016, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) successfully adjudicated 15 welfare fraud cases involving 16 individuals. These cases will bring the commonwealth $88,734.58 in restitution and will generate additional cost savings as the defendants will be temporarily disqualified from receiving future public benefits in the programs they defrauded.
“Each of these adjudications helps ensure that public benefits can be distributed fairly and equitably to Pennsylvanians who really qualify for them,” Acting Inspector General Tyrone Powell said. “OIG’s Bureau of Fraud Prevention and Prosecution partners with the Department of Human Services’ County Assistance Offices and district attorneys around the state to identify, investigate and prosecute suspected cases of welfare fraud and maintain the integrity of the commonwealth’s public assistance system.”
The following individuals were prosecuted between Sept. 1 and Sept 30, 2016, for fraudulently receiving public assistance:
• Antonietta Lubrano, 40, of Hummelstown in Dauphin County, pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining $27,803.82 in subsidized daycare benefits. She was sentenced to 60 months of probation and ordered to pay restitution. She also was disqualified from receiving subsidized daycare benefits for six months.
• Jessica Witherow, 38, of Coraopolis in Allegheny County, pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining $11,046 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. She was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay restitution. She also was disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for 12 months.
• Reginald Myers, 43, of Reading in Berks County, pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining $2,352 in SNAP benefits and $205 in cash assistance. He was sentenced to three years of probation, with six months of electronic monitoring, and ordered to pay restitution and court costs. He also was disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for 12 months and cash assistance for six months.
• Mackeith Chavious, 43, of Lancaster in Lancaster County, pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining $1,334 in SNAP benefits. He was sentenced to six months of probation and ordered to serve 50 hours of community service and to pay restitution, a $200 fine and court costs. He also was disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for 12 months.
• Jerome Nuttall, 29, of Greensburg in Westmoreland County, pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining $3,479 in SNAP benefits. He was sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to pay restitution. He also was disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for 12 months.
• Angela Beighley, 43, of Ellwood City in Lawrence County, pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining $5,554 in SNAP benefits. She was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay restitution. She also was disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for 12 months.
• Patricia Wheeler, 57, of Pittsburgh in Allegheny County, was found guilty of fraudulently receiving $2,120 in SNAP benefits. She was sentenced to six months of probation and ordered to pay restitution and court costs. She also was disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for 12 months.
• Michelle Messner, 43, of Palmyra in Lebanon County, pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining $2,430 in SNAP benefits. She will be sentenced in November. She is disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for 12 months.
• Yahaira Gonzalez, 37, of Lebanon in Lebanon County, pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining $6,373 in SNAP benefits. She will be sentenced in December. She is disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for 12 months.
• Kenneth Alston, 35, of Everett in Bedford County, pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining $858 in SNAP benefits. He was sentenced to six months of probation and ordered to pay restitution, plus a $100 fine and court costs. He also was disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for 12 months.
• Rose Allen, 46, of Allentown in Lehigh County, pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining $2,584 in SNAP benefits. She was sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to pay restitution and court costs. She also was disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for 12 months.
• Aleashia Mixson, 29, of Allentown in Lehigh County, pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining $5,968 in SNAP benefits. She was sentenced to two years of probation, reduced to one year if restitution is paid, and she was ordered to pay court costs. She also was disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for 12 months.
• Jason Napolitano, 33, of Saegertown in Crawford County, pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining $2,023 in SNAP benefits and $948 in cash assistance. He will be sentenced in November. He is disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for 12 months and cash assistance for six months.
• Cody Moore, 35, of Montoursville in Lycoming County, pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining $2,394.16 in medical assistance and $388 in SNAP benefits. He was sentenced to 24 months of probation and 50 hours of community service and ordered to pay restitution and court costs. He also was disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for 12 months.
• Richard Borland, 56, and Sandra Borland, 52, of Tidioute in Warren County, pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining $10,874.60 in cash assistance. They paid restitution, a fine of $500 each and court costs. They also were disqualified from receiving cash assistance for six months.
To report suspected fraud, please call the Welfare Fraud Tipline at 1-800-932-0582 or visit the OIG website at www.oig.state.pa.us. Tipsters may remain anonymous.
MEDIA CONTACT: Ellen Lyon, 717-783-7756
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