Welfare fraud case submitted to DA for prosecution
Mesa County Department of Human Services (MCDHS) Fraud and Recovery Unit recently sent a case of suspected public assistance fraud to the District Attorney’s Office.
Mesa County Welfare Fraud Investigators allege during the timeframe of November, 2016 through January, 2023, two co-defendants obtained over $80,000 in public assistance benefits they were not eligible to receive. The subjects were arraigned in court on 8/26/2024 with the following charges:
Mesa County Court Case Number 2024CR796:
Theft 18-4-401(1),(2)(h) Class 4 Felony
Forgery- Public Record/Filed with Public Official 18-5-102(1)(d) Class 5 Felony
Attempting to Influence a Public Servant 18-8-306 Class 4 Felony
Computer Crime 18-5.5-102(1)(d),3(a),(VII) Class 4 Felony
Offering a False Instrument/Recording 18-5-114 (3) Class 2 Misdemeanor
Mesa County Court Case Number 2024CR797:
Theft 18-4-401(1),(2)(h) Class 4 Felony
Forgery- Public Record/Filed with Public Official 18-5-102(1)(d) Class 5 Felony
Attempting to Influence a Public Servant 18-8-306 Class 4 Felony
Computer Crime 18-5.5-102(1)(d),3(a),(VII) Class 4 Felony
Offering a False Instrument/Recording 18-5-114 (3) Class 2 Misdemeanor
The total recovery for the combination of fraudulently obtained public assistance benefits and administrative costs of the investigation totaled to $83,042.88
Committing Public Assistance fraud is taken seriously by the State and Federal government. Public Assistance benefits are available to those who are eligible for the programs and in need of the assistance. When it is suspected that someone has fraudulently received benefits, MCDHS will initiate an investigation and, if appropriate, submit the investigation to the District Attorney’s office for criminal prosecution. All persons charged with crimes are presumed innocent, until proven guilty.
“MCDHS has a zero tolerance for public assistance fraud,” said Executive Director Jill Calvert. “These benefits are in place for individuals and families in our community who truly need them. Our Fraud and Recovery team works hard to ensure public assistance benefits are accessed and utilized properly and we are very proud of their diligence in this particular case.”
If you suspect welfare fraud, please call the MCDHS Welfare Fraud Hotline at (970) 256‐2421.
