(WJET/WFXP) -- The Office of the State Inspector General (OSIG) announced this week they charged nearly 600 people with public assistance fraud throughout 2023 with millions of dollars now owed to the Commonwealth in restitution.
In total, OSIG said $3,378,770 in restitution is now owed to the Commonwealth from the 590 individuals charged, temporarily making them ineligible to receive public benefits from the programs they're charged with defrauding.
The State Inspector General said these cases help save PA millions of dollars.
"In 2023, OSIG took decisive action, filing charges against nearly 600 individuals engaged in public assistance fraud and saving the Commonwealth millions of dollars. As we close 2023, OSIG remains committed to preserving the integrity of our public benefits programs and the trust that taxpayers put in the Commonwealth,” said State Inspector General Lucas M. Miller. “We will continue to vigorously investigate and prosecute fraud, safeguarding resources for those who genuinely depend on public assistance."
Fraud cases involving public assistance given out by the Department of Human Services are investigated and prosecuted by OSIG based on tips about potential fraud or abuse of programs based on flagged applications, "questionable use of benefits" and tips from the public.
Defendants charged with defrauding programs such as SNAP, cash assistance and subsidized daycare are disqualified from receiving those benefits.
Also, 566 of the 590 people involved had felony charges brought against them with misdemeanor charges being filed against the other 24.
If convicted, the defendants face up to seven years in prison and a fine of $15,000 in addition to the restitution.