The Sherburne County Attorney’s Office in coordination with Sherburne County Health and Human Services and the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office, has successfully prosecuted a number of individuals for Wrongfully Obtaining Public Assistance. In 2015 alone, ten men and women were convicted of committing welfare fraud. Court-ordered conditions of their sentence typically include reimbursement of public assistance and a jail or community sanction. “Nearly 7,000 Sherburne County residents receive some form of public assistance” said Mary Jo Cobb, Director of Health and Human Services. This number does not encompass MNSure. Cobb said: “County staff is diligent in routing out the few who seek to wrongfully take from the system.”
County officials have pledged their continued efforts to investigate and prosecute fraud cases. Sherburne County Sheriff Joel Brott said: “It’s a sad day when you steal money from a public assistance program. The Taxpayers of Sherburne County should be outraged with this type of crime. “We are committed to investigating and identifying those who are fraudulently receiving benefits and who intentionally take advantage of our government assistance programs. We will work diligently to hold those accountable who do not meet eligibility requirements for public assistance. “Clearly, these cases demonstrate that many individuals are still taking advantage of our public benefits system.” Kathleen Heaney said: ’We will work collaboratively with our partners in law enforcement and Health and Human Services to prosecute those who seek to profit at the expense of persons in need.”
The following are some examples of case dispositions from the past year:
In April of 2015, Todd Hiehle and Barbara Louise Hiehle were each sentenced to felony Wrongfully Obtaining Public Assistance after pleas of guilty. Imposition of their sentences was stayed and they were placed on probation for ten years on the conditions that they each serve 15 days jail and pay repay public assistance in the amounts of $12,150.02 and $5,285.00.
In August of 2015, Calistus Ugochukwu Alaribe was sentenced to felony Wrongfully Obtaining Public Assistance after a jury returned a guilty verdict at trial. Imposition of his sentence was stayed and he was placed on probation for ten years on conditions that he repay $2,544.00 in public assistance and serve 6 days jail.
In December of 2015, Wendy Rae Dickey was sentenced to felony Wrongfully Obtaining Public Assistance after a plea of guilty. Imposition of her sentence was stayed, and she was placed on probation for ten years on conditions that she repay $23,356.24 in public assistance and serve 12 days jail.
In December of 2015, Penny Ann Schmidt was sentenced to felony Wrongfully Obtaining Public Assistance and Financial Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult after pleas of guilty. Imposition her sentence was stayed and she was placed on probation for ten years on the conditions that she serve 90 days jail and repay $18,482.87 in public assistance and $11,795.00 in restitution to a local nursing care center.
If you have information concerning welfare fraud being committed in Sherburne County, contact the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office.
