News Release Listing
Contact: Steve Lowe, (360) 664-5767,
steve.lowe@dshs.wa.gov
Contact: Kathy Spears, (360) 902-7893 ,
kathleen.spears@dshs.wa.gov
October 03, 2012
Clark County woman pleads guilty to welfare fraud
OLYMPIA – A 37-year-old Vancouver woman pleaded guilty on Sept. 20 to first degree welfare fraud theft for failing to report to the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) income she received for a work-related injury.
Between December 2006 and December 2010, Cherrine [CQ] Lynn Wilder submitted and signed under penalty of perjury public assistance documents, each time failing to report her Department of Labor and Industries benefits.
Wilder pleaded guilty to one count of welfare fraud theft and was ordered to pay $38,607.93 to the state, plus $2,300.00 in court and attorney fees. She was sentenced to 30 days on work release.
This case was investigated by DSHS Office of Fraud and Accountability investigator Jan Karcher and prosecuted by Clark County Deputy Prosecutor Michael B. Dodds.
Members of the public can report welfare fraud in Washington by calling 1-800-562-6906.
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DSHS does not discriminate and provides equal access to its programs and services for all persons without regard to race, color, gender, religion, creed, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, age, veteran’s status or the presence of any physical, sensory or mental disability.
