The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced that a Gladwin County woman has been charged with misusing public assistance benefits after unusual use of an elderly relative's Bridge Card was detected through a new data analytics system.
Food stamp fraud charges were announced Monday by MDHHS Director Nick Lyon, department Inspector General Alan Kimichik and Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette. Jacqulyn Bock, 57, of Rhodes, is accused of using the Bridge Card to defraud MDHHS of more than $6,200 in Food Assistance Program benefits.
Charges filed in Saginaw District Court came after an MDHHS Office of Inspector General Benefits Trafficking Unit investigation identified alleged fraud through Michigan's new Enterprise Fraud Detection System. The data analytics tool can identify unusual use of Bridge Cards the electronic benefits cards used by public assistance recipients in Michigan that could be fraudulent. It leverages multiple sets of state-owned data to streamline fraud referrals and assists investigators in focusing on high-risk fraud scenarios.
In addition to making unauthorized purchases using her relative's Bridge Card, Bock is accused of making false statements to continue receiving public assistance while the elderly relative was residing in an adult assisted living facility and had no need for the benefits. If convicted, Bock faces up to five years in prison and $10,000 in fines.
Office of Inspector General investigations keep taxpayer dollars going to people who truly need assistance and protect vulnerable adults and children.
Published: Tue, Jun 09, 2015
