Darby DPW workers charged in $300K welfare scam
Darby Borough seems be making a name for itself as Pennsylvania's go-to destination for committing six-figure welfare fraud. Three months after the feds busted the owner of Aunty Florence's West African Food Market, two former DPW workers in Darby were charged by a state grand jury with stealing $300,000.
Darby DPW workers charged in $300K welfare scam
William Bender
Darby Borough seems be making a name for itself as Pennsylvania's go-to destination for committing six-figure welfare fraud.
Less than three months after the feds busted the owner of Aunty Florence's West African Food Market for allegedly converting food stamps into cash – and keeping a nice cut for herself – with the EBT terminal in her store, state Attorney General Linda Kelly today announced charges against two former Department of Public Welfare workers for allegedly stealing nearly $300,000 in public assistance benefits.
The charges against Cynthia Lewis, 47, of Lansdowne, and Ivan Jones, 43, of Philadelphia, were recommended by a grand jury.
The grand jury alleges that Lewis approved more than $250,000 in benefits – food stamps, medical benefits and "special cash allowances" – for six public assistance accounts that she fabricated and maintained. She allegedly spent the money on cruises and gambling jaunts.
Jones was busted for a separate scam, Kelly said. He's accused of using names and personal information of existing welfare recipients to send EBT cards to locations in Delaware County. Surveillance videos show him using the cards to withdraw money from those accounts, Kelly said.
Both were Income Maintenance Caseworkers at DPW's Delaware County Assistance Office in Darby.
“Public assistance benefits are intended to aid Pennsylvania residents struggling to feed and support their families,” Kelly said. “These individuals not only corrupted that system and stole taxpayer funds for their own personal gain, but literally took money and food from the mouths of families in need.”
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And you thought there was NO voter fraud???????? I demand pols enforce the mandatory Photo ID in PA!! I want my vote and ALL legal votes protected NOW!!!— coniljw- Please explain how this is voter fraud? — 165Valley
- This comment has been deleted.— Taxpaying Voter
- Thanks for the racist comment you moron. — 165Valley
- How can anyone be charged with a welfare scam when it is a scam to begin with?— Louie DePalma
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- She was just helping the economy grow since welfare creates wealth in Obama's world. If she also cheats on her taxes, that just proves that she is qualified to be the Treasury Secretary.— Beethoven987
- She was just helping the economy grow since welfare creates wealth in Obama's world. If she also cheats on her taxes, that just proves that she is qualified to be the Treasury Secretary.— Beethoven987
- Just keep'in it "all in the family"...gotta eat ya know. Obama approves.— dogman5
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- I think I saw her on a cruise earlier this year. She ate the whole buffet table in one sitting.— Wilhelm Von Humboldt
- Whale-watching cruise? — Burbanite
