Two Levittown residents were among 77 people charged with welfare fraud.
Nadege Laguerre, 43, of Levittown, is accused of taking $4,251 in SNAP benefits fraudulently. She was charged via summons with fraudulently receiving public assistance in Pennsylvania that were graded as a felony of the third degree.
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Krystyn Smock, 35, of Levittown, is accused of taking $1,361 in SNAP benefits fraudulently. She was charged with fraudulently receiving public assistance in Pennsylvania that were graded as a misdemeanor of the second degree.
The Pennsylvania Office of Inspector General filed the charges against Laguerre, Smock and 75 other residents between February 1 and February 28.
If all subjects are found guilty and ordered to pay restitution, the state will recoup $552,780.07. A press release noted that the state will also save money as the defendants will be temporarily disqualified from receiving public benefits in the programs they defrauded.
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“February’s cases range from a low of $69.52 in SNAP trafficking in Harrisburg to a high of $97,793.59 in combined SNAP, medical assistance and LIHEAP fraud by two individuals in Cameron County,” Inspector General Bruce R. Beemer said. “The many dedicated OIG investigators and agents across the state have worked tirelessly to combat SNAP trafficking and fraud.”
Beemer’s office advised that suspected fraud can be reported to the Welfare Fraud Tipline at 1-800-932-0582 or visit the OIG website at www.oig.pa.gov. Tipsters may remain anonymous.
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Editor’s Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The story was compiled using information from police and public court documents.
