ALLEN COUNTY, OH (WLIO) - The Allen County Department of Job and Family Services is working to crack down on welfare fraud in the county. The department has sent several cases to the Allen County Prosecutor's Office for prosecution.
The Allen County Department of Job and Family Services is working to crack down on welfare fraud in the county.
On Tuesday, Kathyrn Kimbrough waived her right to a trial by making a plea to theft of receiving temporary assistance for needy families benefits that she was not entitled to for eight years. Kimbrough says it was a misunderstanding of filling out forms when she applied for assistance. Job and Family Services says she didn't report that her son, the father of the grandchildren she was getting support for, was living with them. They say that is fraud, and they had to take action.
Kathyrn Kimbrough waived her right to a trial by making a plea to theft of receiving temporary assistance for needy families benefits that she was not entitled to for eight years.
"There is a substantial amount of welfare fraud that occurs within our county. And we just want to make sure that we are paying attention to it. That we're holding those accountable that commit the fraud," stated Ally Garlock, fraud and investigation supervisor at Allen County Job and Family Services.
All three did enter into the diversion program in lieu of conviction.
Kimbrough was sentenced to pay restitution of $23,857. This is the 3rd welfare fraud case that they have sent for prosecution this year. Tina Shafer was ordered to repay nearly $39,000 for illegal use of WIC benefits and Medicaid eligibility fraud. Tori Frueh is required to pay back a little more than $12,000 for illegal use of WIC benefits. All three did enter into the diversion program in lieu of conviction.
