State v. Ms. K (DMC No. 16499) – Felony Benefits Fraud/Fraudulent Schemes ($22,500) – Not Charged – Arizona Department of Economic Security Investigated (Case No. 20XX-XXXXXX3)

Ms. K was divorced from her husband and received $500 in Child Support. Because she was low income, she applied to the Arizona Department of Economic Security’s Family Assistance Administration for aid. While she was receiving aid, at some point she reconciled with her husband. Her husband was gainfully employed and making $93,000 a year. When she reconciled, she neglected to inform DES that she now had a higher family income for their household than previously reported. 

An Investigator received a tip that the husband was still with Ms. K, and the Investigator went by the house. When she knocked on the door, Mr. K answered the door and gave a different name. The Investigator indicated that he matched the photo that was in the MVD database, and that the license plate on the truck outside was also his. At that point, Mr. K slammed the door in the face of the Investigator. At that point, Ms. K sought out the services of DM Cantor. 

We contacted the Investigator, in order to find out exactly what was going on. After the Investigator told us of her suspicions, we pointed out the fact that there was no actual proof that he was “living in the household”. And even if he was, there was no additional proof that he was supporting the family in any way with his finances. Lastly, Mr. K was not going to cooperate with the Investigator, and we Invoked Ms. K’s Right to Remain Silent. Ultimately, a decision was made Not to Charge Ms. K with any type of Fraud, however, she did remove herself from the Family Assistance Program. Had she been originally Charged and Convicted, she could potentially have gone to Prison. Instead, she has No Criminal Record.