Welfare Fraud Arrest

Alabama Attorney General Two Mobile County women charged with theft. FULL TEXT OF RELEASE

by Alabama Attorney General's Office

Published: Tue, September 16, 2008 - 4:12 pm CST Last Updated: Tue, September 16, 2008 - 4:19 pm CST

AG KING ANNOUNCES WELFARE FRAUD CONVICTIONS IN MOBILE COUNTY

MONTGOMERY)—Attorney General Troy King today announced the convictions of two women in Mobile County Circuit Court for charges of welfare fraud.

“When people lie to receive welfare benefits to which they are not entitled, they are commiting a crime against the State, the taxpaying public, and those who are truly deserving of welfare benefits,” said Attorney General King. “I take seriously my responsibility as Attorney General to protect public funds on behalf of the people of Alabama and pledge to prosecute those who break the law by abusing the welfare system.”

Angela Mansfield, also known as Angie Van Laningham and Angela Sullivan, 35, of Wilmer, pleaded guilty today to second-degree theft of property in the amount of $8,470. She was sentenced to one year and one day, which was suspended, and placed on formal supervision with Mobile Community Corrections. The court directed her to pay full restitution to the State of Alabama.

Denise Bell, 47, of Mobile, pleaded guilty today to third-degree theft of property in the amount of $1,039. She was sentenced to one year, which was suspended, and placed on probation. The court directed her to pay full restitution to the State of Alabama.

The Attorney General commended Assistant Attorney General Ferris Stephens and Senior Special Agent Assie Webb for their work in handling these cases. Attorney General King also thanked the Department of Human Resources in Mobile County for its assistance in preparing information and referring the matter to the Attorney General’s Office for review and appropriate action, noting in particular Rose Johnson, director of Mobile County Department of Human Resources; Kathy Thomas, caseworker, Mobile County DHR; Leon Kennedy, claims worker, Mobile County DHR; and Geraldine W. Turner, claims supervisor, Mobile County DHR. Attorney General King also thanked District Attorney John Tyson for the assistance of his office.

Johnson stated, “We work to have our Food Stamp program deliver timely benefits to eligible individuals and appreciate the Attorney General prosecuting those who illegally receive benefits. Every dollar given fraudulently takes away from those truly in need. We want the public to have confidence in the administering of these programs and appreciate prosecution when appropriate.”

The Mobile County cases are part of a continuing statewide effort by Attorney General King to aggressively investigate and prosecute welfare fraud. Prosecutions are pending in approximately 38 counties, including Baldwin, Clarke, Monroe, Escambia and Conecuh counties.

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nuff said Says:

Tue, Sep 23, 2008 at 8:34 am

While I commend them for prosecuting these cases of fraud, there are still many more that need to be prosecuted. I agree with Flowerchild, standing in line mentally calculating the cost of the groceries in my cart and the bills that I still have to pay from my paycheck while the person in front of me, with salon nals and an expensive hair style, uses her food stamp debit card and WIC vouchers can really be disheartening. I can live with the clothes and the car because I tell myself (maybe fool myself is a better phrase) maybe they had those things before they fell on hard times; the nails and hair are a different story, those are current expenditures. I have no problems with giving people a hand up but I am sick to death of the handouts. I work with people who I know for a fact make as much or more than I do and, yet, they “qualify” for public assistance on my tax dime.

FLOWERCHILD Says:

Wed, Sep 17, 2008 at 11:30 am

I bet the Cadillac or Escalade, etc is not listed on their list of assets which is asked of everyone who is given Food Stamp Benefits. Anyway it is disheartening when I have $5.00 in my pocket and need more items than that would buy to be in line behind someone in fancy name brand clothing carrying a Dooney & Burke purse and driving that fancy car and buying high priced steaks and of course beer and then break out the Food stamp card. Makes me mad.

rmseek1234 Says:

Wed, Sep 17, 2008 at 11:12 am

Entitled? Deserving? How about entitle yourself to get off your lazy behind and get a job. Probably 90% of the people on benefits COULD work, but don’t-they want a free ride, at my expense. Why not re-evaluate EVERYONE on a quarterly basis, and do random home visits to see how they are living.If they can afford Polo and Ralph Lauren clothes, and drive an Escalade or Yukon maxed out to the hilt, they can afford their own bread and milk.

Boondock Says:

Wed, Sep 17, 2008 at 8:26 am

What a joke! Go down there and sit for a day and watch all the fraud that’s going on. You have people driving Cadillacs and Escalades with $2000 worth of tires and rims. Then you have the ones who have handicapped stickers and tags and are in better health than I am. Get off my damn dollar and get a job!

ronald t Says:

Wed, Sep 17, 2008 at 5:52 am

they never served a day in jail and they will never pay a nickle,boy we really showed them,now everyone will get in on it,how do i apply,i dont mind going to court one day for eight thousand dollars.naw i am not that common and i dont have three names.why waste the time to arrest them.go figure,broken law,so bad.