DOVER, DELAWARE (6/14/2016) Seven women have been charged or convicted in connection with the theft of more than $959,000 in federal food benefits while they were employed by the state of Delaware, authorities announced today.
All seven were employed by the Department of Health and Social Services and were responsible for issuing electronic benefit transfer cards used to purchase food, Attorney General Matt Denn said.
The health department reported today that the first case of suspected fraud in the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program was discovered in December 2014 by a Division of Social Services supervisor who could not find the required documentation to support a benefits case during her case reviews. The department said more than 100 fraudulent accounts were then discovered.
All of those charged were terminated in 2015, when the case was turned over to the Department of Justice.
Based on internal audits, Denn said, investigators learned of fictitious EBT accounts created by Division of Social Services case workers who were responsible for case creation and maintenance.
The fraudulent benefit cards were delivered to state service centers in New Castle and Kent counties, where they were intercepted by those charged, Denn said, and then used personally or sold at a discount.
Indicted and arrested last week:
• Detrich Simmons-Heath, 54, of Chestertown, Maryland – charged with Theft over $100,000, Forgery First Degree, Falsifying Business Records, and Official Misconduct. Released on $6,000 unsecured bond.
• Kamilah Laws, 39, of Wilmington – charged with Theft over $50,000, Forgery First Degree, Falsifying Business Records, and Official Misconduct. Released on $5,000 unsecured bond.
Indicted last week and still at large:
• Jo Ellen Edwards, 61, of Felton – charged with Theft over $100,000, Forgery First Degree, Falsifying Business Records, and Official Misconduct.
• Shirlene Davis, 29, of Newark – charged with Theft over $100,000, Forgery First Degree, Falsifying Business Records, and Official Misconduct.
Previously indicted, charges pending:
• Nicole Stevens, 43, of Dover, was arrested in November 2015 on charges of Theft over $1,500, Official Misconduct, Forgery First Degree, Falsifying Business Records, and four counts of Unlawful Use of a Payment Card for stealing $8,092.
Previously convicted and sentenced:
• Allison Rivera, 49, of Dover, pleaded guilty to Theft over $1,500, Unlawful Use of a Payment Card, and Falsifying Business Records, and was sentenced in April 2016 to two years of Level II probation, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $27,751.58.
• Angelette Brown, 45, of Camden, pleaded guilty to Theft over $1,500, Unlawful Use of a Payment Card, and Official Misconduct and was sentenced to April 2016 to two years of Level II probation, ordered to do 240 hours of community service, and forced to repay the $15,957 she took.
“This case is part of an intensified focus our office is trying to bring to fraud being committed against the state’s public benefit programs,” Attorney General Matt Denn said. “These arrests come as the result of an in-depth investigation, supported by many agencies. We appreciate the cooperation from the Office of the Inspector General and the Audit and Recovery Management Services. From the Department of Justice, I specifically want to thank Deputy Attorneys General Matt Frawley, Phillip Casale, Allison Reardon and Dennis Kelleher, along with Special Investigators Robert Irwin, Brittney Ketler, Frank Robinson, and John Ciritella.”
Rita Landgraf, secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services, said, “I find it especially cruel and disheartening that anyone would steal from a supplemental food benefit for personal gain and greed.”