Notable BSI Activity in the Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2018

In this quarter BSI secured an indictment against a Boston man for fraudulently obtaining public benefits and indictments against individuals in Worcester County, Weymouth, and Petersham.

Table of Contents

Petersham Woman Arraigned for PCA Fraud

On February 6, 2018, a resident of Petersham was arraigned in Gardner District Court on Larceny Over $250 by Single Scheme, in violation of M.G.L. c. 266, §30(1). The woman, who served as the surrogate for her husband, allegedly used the identity of her husband’s daughter to submit time sheets for personal care attendant (PCA) services that were never provided. In total, she received $18,809.21 in fraudulent payments.

Weymouth Man Arraigned for PCA Fraud

On March 2, 2018, a Weymouth man was arraigned in Quincy District Court on Larceny Over $250 by Single Scheme, in violation of M.G.L. c. 266, §30(1); making a False Statement to the Division of Medical Assistance, in violation of M.G.L. c. 188E, §39; and Identity Fraud, in violation of M.G.L. c. 266, §37E. The investigation revealed that the defendant, a MassHealth consumer, allegedly submitted fraudulent time sheets using the identity of his former PCA. He received fraudulent payments totaling $48,082.06.

Boston Man Indicted for Using Stolen Identity to Obtain State Benefits

On March 7, 2018, a Suffolk County Grand Jury indicted a Boston resident for allegedly using stolen identities to obtain public assistance and avoid the consequences for multiple criminal charges incurred over the past several years.

The Suffolk County Grand Jury returned indictments charging the man with two counts of identity fraud, in violation of M.G.L. c. 266, §37E; four counts of furnishing a false name at arrest, in violation of M.G.L. c. 268, §37A; and two counts of larceny over $250 by single scheme, in violation of M.G.L. c. 266, §30(1).

The charges resulted from the collaborative investigative efforts of the Bureau of Special Investigations (BSI), Boston Police Department, Lynn Police Department, Revere Police Department, Massachusetts State Police, US Social Security Administration, and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The defendant allegedly used an innocent Millbury man’s identity to obtain more than $4,720 in MassHealth and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. As result, the victim suffered hardships, including preclusion from enrolling in MassHealth. In addition, when the Boston Police Department and Revere Police Department arrested the defendant on four separate dates, he assumed the victim’s name and identity.

The defendant was arraigned on March 23, 2018.

Additional Resources

Worcester County Resident Arraigned for Fraudulent Receipt of SNAP Benefits

On March 26, 2018, BSI charged a Worcester County woman in Clinton District Court with one count of Larceny Over $250 by Single Scheme, in violation of M.G.L. c. 266, §30(1); and two counts of Public Assistance Fraud, in violation of M.G.L. c. 18, §5B. The defendant allegedly fraudulently collected $18,373 in SNAP benefits. BSI’s investigation revealed that the woman intentionally failed to disclose to the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) that she no longer lived with her three children. In fact, the children resided with her ex-husband, the children’s biological father. Moreover, she did not report, as required by DTA, her remarriage or her new husband’s employment and income. Her intentional concealment made her eligible for SNAP benefits to which she might not have been entitled.

Date published: July 25, 2018

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