47 PA residents charged with defrauding public assistance in June

( WJET/WFXP ) — The office of Pennsylvania’s inspector general has charged more than 40 people for allegedly committing felony public assistance fraud this past month.

PA Inspector General Lucas Miller announced Tuesday that 47 people were charged with attempting to defraud public assistance programs during the month of June with $228,772 being owed to the Commonwealth from them.

The alleged fraudsters are accused of either trafficking their public assistance or misrepresenting their household circumstances and fraudulently receiving taxpayer-funded public benefits.

“These charges highlight OSIG’s ongoing commitment to identifying and prosecuting fraudulent activities, ensuring that resources reach those genuinely in need,” Miller said. “Maintaining the integrity of our assistance programs is paramount, and our dedication to this work is vital in preserving public trust.”

Defendants will also be temporarily disqualified from receiving these benefits until their case is resolved with SNAP, Cash Assistance or Subsidized Day Care fraud defendants facing a mandatory disqualification period.

If convicted, defendants face up to seven years in prison and a fine of $15,000 along with the disqualifications.

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