Inspector General charges 45 with welfare fraud

The state caught 45 suspected welfare fraudsters in December, who allegedly scammed the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and other programs out of more than $240,000, according to the Office of the State Inspector General.

The office charged 35 people with felonies, the remaining 10 with misdemeanors.

Three residents of Allegheny County and four from Westmoreland County are among those charged.

All suspects are temporarily disqualified from receiving public benefits.

If convicted, the maximum penalty is seven years in prison and a fine of $15,000.

The felony charges are as follows:

• Tanisha Cooper of Homestead in Allegheny County, for $2,563 in Cash Assistance fraud.
• Tina Harris of Pittsburgh in Allegheny County, for $4,841 in SNAP fraud.
• Sarah Smithson of Pittsburgh in Allegheny County, for $3,027 in SNAP fraud.
• Hannah Conway of Irwin in Westmoreland County, for $9,282. in SNAP fraud.
• Rebecca Evans of Greensburg in Westmoreland County, for $9,824 in Medical Assistance fraud and $8,784 in SNAP fraud.
• Nicole Tyler of Penn in Westmoreland County, for $9,157 in SNAP fraud and $501 for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) fraud.
• Michelle Waugamanof Greensburg in Westmoreland County, for $2,102 in SNAP fraud.
• John Mollett, of Aliquippa in Beaver County, for $1,366 in Medical Assistance fraud and $254 in SNAP fraud.
• Shakera Aiken and Joshua Nieves of Reading in Berks County, for $2,080 in SNAP fraud.
• Javon Daisey of Reading in Berks County, for $2,036 in SNAP fraud.
• Nakisha Williams of Reading in Berks County, for $21,987 in Medical Assistance fraud and $5,377 in SNAP fraud.
• Chelsea-Ray Merritt of Hopewell in Blair County, for $5,714 in SNAP fraud and $339 for LIHEAP fraud.
• Ranecia Jefferson of Johnstown in Cambria County, for $2,564 in SNAP fraud.
• Cathy Riffle of Johnstown in Cambria County, for $2,404 in SNAP fraud.
• Deborah Wittigof Bruin in Clarion County, for $16,361 in SNAP fraud.
• Shelby Kamarerof New Cumberland in Cumberland County, for $18,499 in Medical Assistance fraud and $4,428 in SNAP fraud.
• Dianna Snyder of Brockway in Jefferson County, for $9,215 in Medical Assistance fraud.
• Natasha Osorio-Gierboliniof Ephrata in Lancaster County, for $5,057 in Cash Assistance fraud and $1,280 in SNAP fraud.
• Damion and Sydnei Green of New Castle in Lawrence County, for $2,715 in Cash Assistance fraud.
• Scott Davis of Lebanon in Lebanon County, for $9,785 in Medical Assistance fraud and $1,947 in SNAP fraud.
• Elizabeth Fontanez-Rosarof Lebanon in Lebanon County, for $5,640 in Medical Assistance fraud.
• Jennfier Marti Forty of Lebanon in Lebanon County, for $3,236 in SNAP fraud.
• Sabrina Prokopovich of Freeland in Luzerne County, for $3,875 in SNAP fraud.
• Lissette Silva of Wilkes-Barre in Luzerne County, for $3,227 in SNAP fraud.
• Colin Snyder of Williamsport in Lycoming County, for $2,929 in Medical Assistance fraud and $1,056 in SNAP fraud.
• Melissa Spong of Williamsport in Lycoming County, for $1,449 in SNAP fraud and $1,410.50 in Cash Assistance fraud.
• Anelina Atkins of Elkins Park in Montgomery County, for $3,030 in SNAP fraud.
• Deborah Bier of Conshohocken in Montgomery County, for $6,675 in SNAP fraud.
• Natasha Boyd of Norristown in Montgomery County, for $1,950 in SNAP fraud and $762 for LIHEAP fraud.
• Sharina Eaddy of Elkins Park in Montgomery County, for $7,239 in Medical Assistance fraud and $1,457 in SNAP fraud.
• Aliyah Foster of Philadelphia, for $5,288 in Cash Assistance fraud and $1,023 in SNAP fraud.
• Abigail Martinez of York in York County, for $2,464 in SNAP fraud.
• Mary Wiley of Stewartstown in York County, for $2,501 in SNAP fraud.