Subscribe:

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Ventnor Woman Indicted for Theft in over $34,000 in Welfare Benefits

MAYS LANDING – A Ventnor woman was indicted for the theft of over $34,000 in welfare benefits she was not entitled to, Acting Atlantic County Prosecutor Jim McClain announced today.
On Thursday, Nov. 21, an Atlantic County Grand Jury indicted Tracy Feigan, 42, for theft by deception in connection with defrauding the Atlantic County Department of Family & Community Development of over $34,000 in benefits by reporting false information on her application.
From July of 2011 through September of 2013, Feigan claimed and received public assistance in the forms of Temporary Rental Assistance, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Food Stamps. 

Upon applying for benefits in 2011, Feigan listed her 5-year-old son as a member of her household. Due to the inclusion of a child on her application, Feign was allotted additional benefits that she would not have been entitled to as a single applicant.
In August of 2013, the Department of Family & Community Development Fraud Investigations Unit initiated an investigation into Feigan. The investigation determined that Feigan’s son did not reside with her, but was in the custody of a family member residing outside of Atlantic County. An examination of court and public school records determined that the child had not resided with Feigan since February of 2008. The investigation concluded that Feigan should not have received additional benefits in the amount of $34,770.60.
The results of the fraud investigation were submitted to the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office who presented the case to a Grand Jury today. The Grand Jury indicted Feigan on one count of third-degree theft by deception and two counts of fourth-degree unsworn falsification, for filing and re-filing falsified applications.
Theft by deception, a crime of the third-degree, carries a sentence of three to five years in New Jersey State Prison and up to $15,000 in fines. Unsworn falsification, a crime of the fourth-degree, carries a penalty of up to 18 months in jail and up to $10,000 in fines. There is a presumption of non-custodial sentences on third and fourth degree offenses.
Welfare Fraud can be anonymously reported to the Atlantic County Department of Family & Community Development – Fraud Investigation Unit by calling the 24-hour Fraud Hotline at: 1-800-FRAUD05 (1-800-372-8305).
***The indictment is merely an accusation and not proof of guilt. In all criminal cases, an indicted defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Anyone with information involving serious crimes is asked to call the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-909-7800 or go to the Prosecutor’s Office Web site at http://www.acpo.org/tips.html and provide information by filling out the form anonymously on the Submit a Tip page. People can also call Crime Stoppers at 609-652-1234 or 1-800-658-8477 (TIPS) or visit the Crime Stoppers Website at http://www.crimestoppersatlantic.com/. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards for information leading to the arrest and indictment of those who commit crimes in Atlantic County.

0 comments:

Post a Comment

 
Web Analytics