Local residents face welfare fraud charges
Several from local residents were among 178 people charged by the Office of State Inspector General with welfare fraud.
State officials said the alleged offenses occurred between Jan. 1 and March 31, and resulted in a total of $886,055 being owed in restitution by defendants from across the state.
“Our office remains vigilant to protect the integrity of our vital public assistance programs,” said State Inspector General Bruce R. Beemer. “We are proud to work with our partners in law enforcement across the commonwealth to help those in need and stop those who cheat.”
Those charged locally were:
n Cynthia Plance, of Brownsville in Fayette County, for $9,160 in SNAP fraud.
n Harlie Allison-Mille, of Perryopolis in Fayette County, for $3,773.76 in Medical Assistance fraud.
n Patricia Arlott, of Belle Vernon in Westmoreland County, for $8,513 in SNAP fraud.
n Shanta Key, of Washington in Washington County, for $3,694 in SNAP fraud.
n Mallory Lott, of New Kensington in Westmoreland County, for $3,610 in SNAP fraud.
n Emily Cecconello, of Penn in Westmoreland County, for 5,651 in SNAP fraud.
If convicted, the maximum penalty they face is seven years in prison and a fine of $15,000.00, plus a mandatory disqualification period from the benefits program they allegedly defrauded.
To report suspected fraud please call the Welfare Fraud Tipline at 1-800-932-0582 or visit the OSIG website at www.osig.pa.gov. Tipsters may remain anonymous.