According to a press release, the officer was identified as Ashley L. Michel of Pottsville and it is reported that she fraudulently received $7, 254.34 in benefits.
"Our office will maintain the integrity of our public benefits programs with professionalism and impartiality," said State Inspector General Bruce R. Beemer. "we will act whenever someone who is sworn to uphold the law breaks it".
According to the Criminal Complaint filed by OSIG agents, the Defendant applied for SNAP and MA benefits on July 3, 2017. In her application, she reported no income. She repeated that she had no income in a phone interview with a caseworker. During the interview, Ms. Michel was advised it was her responsibility to report any change in income and to provide updated and accurate income information. Based on the information she provided. Ms. Michel was approved for SNAP and MA benefits.
Investigators learn that, in August 2017, Ms. Michel was employed by the Minersville Police Department as a part time patrol officer. Ms. Michel did not report that employment or income and accepted $4,303.00 in SNAP benefits and $2,951. 34 in MA benefits for the period August 1, 2017 through May 31, 2018. Her failure to disclose that income is a violation of 62 P.S. 481(a) and that offense is graded as a felony of the third degree.
The maximum penalty is seven years in prison and a fine of $15,000, plus a mandatory disqualification period from the SNAP program.
The defendant was arraigned on July 12, 2018 and a preliminary hearing is set for July 25, 2018. The case will be prosecuted by the Schuylkill County District Attorney's Office.
To report suspect fraud, please call the Welfare Fraud Tipline at 1-800-932-0582 or visit the OSIG website at www.oig.pa.gov. Tipsters may remain anonymous.