Phone: 304-558-7899 
Fax: 304-558-7075 
Cell: 304-546-7960

DHHR cracking down on welfare fraud

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Office of Inspector General’s Investigation and Fraud Management Division, has been actively tracking nearly 70 welfare fraud cases in the last year.

Of the cases being investigated from July through December 2001, 54 felony welfare cases have been presented to county prosecutors resulting in 31 cases being sent to grand juries and 31 indictments returned. The value of these indictments has been established at more than $276,000. For this fiscal year, IFM has actually collected nearly $1.4 million during its fraud investigation.

"Pursuit of these investigations in court not only appropriately holds these individuals responsible for their illegal actions, but also serves as a deterrent to others who may be contemplating similar activities," said Inspector General Danny Van Camp.

The OIG is responsible for evaluating DHHR programs to ensure all qualified state residents receive the benefits they are entitled in an accurate, fair and nondiscriminatory manner. The IFM division helps enforce state and federal guidelines pertaining to welfare fraud and program abuse in such areas as WV WORKS, Medicaid and Food Stamp programs. IFM also conducts investigations in DHHR concerning alleged criminal activities that include theft and sensitive employee situations.

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