The Office of State Inspector General (OSIG) announced on Thursday that it has charged over 100 individuals in Pennsylvania with public assistance fraud for the months of July and August.
According to a news release, the public assistance system fraud case has resulted in charges against 102 individuals for felony offenses, while one person is facing a misdemeanor charge.
According to the release, these suspects are accused of trafficking or misrepresenting their household circumstances and fraudulently obtaining taxpayer-funded public benefits they were not entitled to.
According to the Office of the State Inspector General (OSIG), the fraud committed by the defendants has resulted in a debt of $680,303 owed to the state in restitution. Furthermore, the defendants will also be temporarily disqualified from receiving public benefits in the programs they defrauded, leading to additional cost savings.
State Inspector General Lucas M. Miller emphasized the importance of safeguarding the integrity of the Commonwealth’s resources, stating that each charge serves as a reminder of this responsibility. He further expressed the commitment to ensuring that public assistance benefits are utilized appropriately to aid those genuinely in need. Miller expressed pride in the recovery of funds, which will be redirected to assist individuals throughout Pennsylvania.
