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 $62,654.87. The suspected fraud occurred from January 1,
2011 to February 28, 2014. Welfare Fraud investigators uncovered enough
evidence to allege the following:
Food Assistance: $26,697.00
Medicaid: $ 8,470.11
Admin Costs: $ 968.79
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 $576.77
2. Rocky
Mountain Health Plans (Medicaid)fraud/ Rocky Mountain Health Plans is the
victim on that portion with a total of $24,348.61
3. Women
Infants and Children (WIC)/Women Infants and Children program is the victim on
that portion with a total of $1,593.593
The total recovery for the investigation is $62,654.87 (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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