MAYS LANDING – An Atlantic City woman pled guilty Monday to Theft by Deception, for illegally collecting over $18,000 in welfare benefits, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner announced today.
The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit and the Atlantic County Department of Family & Community Development—Division of Fraud Investigations conducted an investigation that led to an indictment by an Atlantic County Grand Jury on July 24, 2014 of Evonda Valentine, now 50-years-old, of the 800 block of North Maryland Avenue, Atlantic City, for Theft by Deception—a 3rd degree crime.
The State alleges that Valentine, between 2009 and 2012, collected over $18,000 in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Food Stamp benefits from the Atlantic County Department of Family & Community Development by claiming as dependents children who did not reside with her.
On Monday, April 3, 2017, Valentine pled guilty to the crime before Atlantic County Superior Court Judge Michael J. Blee. Pursuant to a negotiated plea agreement, Valentine will pay restitution to the State, and be subject to a period of probation.
Judge Blee scheduled sentencing for May 19, 2017.
Chief Assistant Prosecutor John Flammer represented the State in the matter.
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).
Anyone with information involving serious crimes is asked to call the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-909-7800. 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.
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