Reading, December 11, 2017  State Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) is hosting a press conference with State Inspector General Bruce Beemer to heighten public awareness of welfare fraud and announce a new enforcement initiative. 

“Unfortunately, welfare fraud is an issue in my district,” Schwank said. “It is my hope that we protect these dollars and ensure these programs are being used for what was intended, helping the most needy.” Schwank noted that in fiscal year 2016-2017 there were 768 Office of State Inspector General (OIG) investigations into welfare fraud in Berks County alone. 

Earlier this year, Act 29 became law and provided the OIG with original jurisdiction over criminal statutes relating to public benefit fraud. The law also gave the OIG the ability to issue subpoenas or search warrants and partner directly with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Schwank and Beemer will discuss how this new enforcement authority will be brought to bear on the problem of welfare fraud.

“Selling SNAP cards to merchants for cash is a crime which happens in Reading, and cities like it, every day. The merchants who buy these cards for pennies on the dollar prey on the vulnerable and literally take food from the needy,” Beemer said. “With the Senate’s help, my office now has new enforcement tools to prosecute this kind of trafficking in public benefits. I look forward to joining Senator Schwank to announce our new enforcement efforts in Berks County and across Pennsylvania.”

Thursday’s press conference is Beemer’s first stop in educating the public about welfare fraud and how to report and stop it.

When: 1 p.m., Thursday, December 14, 2017

Who: Sen. Judy Schwank and State Inspector General Bruce Beemer

Where: Muhlenberg Township Building, 210 George Street, First Floor, Reading

-30-