The Mesa County Department of Human Services (MCDHS)
Fraud and Recovery Unit recently sent a suspected fraud case to the Mesa County
District Attorney’s office totaling over $42,104.88. The suspected fraud occurred from March 16,
2007 to March 16, 2015. Welfare Fraud investigators uncovered enough evidence
to allege the following:
Food Assistance: $20,958.00
Medicaid: $ 15,727.34
LEAP (Low Income Energy Assistance Program): $981.86
Admin Costs: $ 3,923.48
Additionally, this case had several other assistance
programs that were the victim of fraud and are associated with the
investigation:
1. School Lunch fraud. The USDA Food and
Nutrition Services/ National School Lunch Program is the victim on that portion
with a total of $514.20
The total recovery for the investigation is $42,104.88 (all victims)
Intentionally defrauding public assistance programs
consists of falsely reporting information on an application including household
composition, household resources or household income. Punishment includes
repayment of benefits issued and may result in a 1-year to lifetime ban from
receiving public assistance benefits and/or criminal prosecution.
“Knowingly providing false information on a public
assistance application in order to receive benefits is a crime and it is
something we take very seriously,” said Tracey Garchar, Executive Director for
the Mesa County Department of Human Services. “These benefits are in place for
people who are eligible and genuinely need them in order to help provide basic
needs for their family,” added Garchar.
If you or someone you know suspects welfare fraud, please
call the Mesa County Department of Human Services Welfare Fraud Hotline at (970) 256-2421.
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