Tuesday, June 4, 2013

California Couple In Court On Allegations They Embezzled $1.5 Million In Public Funds From Welfare Agency

From Sierra Wave Media on 6/3/13:

Dawndee and Kenneth Rossy of Bishop still face 44 felonies including embezzlement of $1.5 million in public funds from the Inyo Welfare Department.....

...  Officers arrested the Rossys in April. County officials said Dawndee Rossy was terminated in February from her job as a supervisor in the Health and Human Services Department after reports were made to law enforcement that she was suspected of embezzling public funds.

The DA filed charges that include embezzlement of public funds, conspiracy to commit grand theft, conspiracy to commit identity theft and possession of methamphetamine. The criminal complaint filed against the Rossys reveals an alleged scheme to get welfare benefits in the form of cash through use of Electronic Benefit Transfer or EBT cards.

The complaint also reveals the allegation that the couple used the identities of 35 individuals to obtain the welfare benefits for themselves. Although County officials have said safeguards were in place to avoid embezzlement, clearly they did not protect the welfare funds. Officials said they were making changes to improve safeguards.

No comments: