The Maine Wire
  • News
  • Commentary
  • Maine Wire TV
  • About
  • Contact
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Trending News
  • Maine State Police Blindsided as Speaker Talbot Ross Claims They Support “Racial Profiling” Bill Written by ACLU
  • No Discipline for Social Worker Who Gave 13yo Girl Breast Binder Without Telling Mother, Says Maine State Board
  • State House Kills “Right to Work” Legislation Prohibiting Employment Conditional on Payment of Union Dues
  • Trump Indicted on Federal Charges in Classified Documents Probe as Biden Faces Bribery Allegations
  • Gov’s Late-Term Abortion Bill Heads to House Amid Acrimony [Podcast]
  • Maine Wire Podcast: Carroll Conley on Abortion, LGBT, and Religious Liberty in Maine
  • Dems Block Debate on Gov’s Late-Term Abortion Bill, Refuse GOP Questioning of Medical Experts
  • Partisan Vote Ends Brakey’s Bid for Welfare Work Requirements
Facebook Twitter Instagram
The Maine Wire
Login
Saturday, June 10
  • News
  • Commentary
  • Maine Wire TV
  • About
  • Contact
The Maine Wire
Home » News » Grand jury indicts four in York County on alleged welfare fraud
News

Grand jury indicts four in York County on alleged welfare fraud

Steve RobinsonBy Steve RobinsonMay 16, 20141 Comment2 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Email LinkedIn Reddit
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email

Welfare-State1A York County grand jury has indicted four individuals – including a New Hampshire woman – on charges that they allegedly lied to the state of Maine in order to obtain tens of thousands of dollars in welfare benefits.

The indictments were released May 7 by the York County Superior Court. Sources say all four indictments stem from crimes committed against the state of Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services.

Courtney L. Cochran, 36, of Springvale was indicted on one charge of theft by deception of more than $10,000 and four charges of unsworn falsification, i.e. making false statements to civil servants at the Department of Health and Human Services.

Bethany Nichols, 39, of Old Orchard Beach was indicted on one charge of theft by deception of more than $1,000 and one charge of unsworn falsification.

Giselle G. Rec, 42, of Kennebunk was indicted on one charge of theft by deception stemming from a 2011 offense. She was also indicted on three charges of unsworn falsification — two in 2011 and one last year.

Linda M. Schofield, 56, of Portsmouth, N.H., was indicted on one count of theft of more than $10,000 by deception and four charges of unsworn falsification.

Theft of more than $10,000 by deception is a Class B crime in Maine and making untrue statements to civil servants is a Class D crime — both crimes are typically involved when an individual defrauds the welfare system.

Lying to DHHS about income, residency and marital status are common ways welfare fraudsters can obtain and increase welfare benefits.

Editor’s Note:An indictment is not a determination of innocence or guilt, but that enough evidence was presented to a grand jury to warrant a trial on the charge.

 

Welfare
Previous ArticleReport on Maine’s welfare system released
Next Article Clean elections, unicorns, and other fantasies
Steve Robinson
  • Twitter

Steve Robinson is the Editor-in-Chief of The Maine Wire. ‪He can be reached by email at Robinson@TheMaineWire.com.

Related Posts

Maine State Police Blindsided as Speaker Talbot Ross Claims They Support “Racial Profiling” Bill Written by ACLU

June 9, 2023

No Discipline for Social Worker Who Gave 13yo Girl Breast Binder Without Telling Mother, Says Maine State Board

June 9, 2023

State House Kills “Right to Work” Legislation Prohibiting Employment Conditional on Payment of Union Dues

June 9, 2023

1 Comment

  1. Cyp Johnson on May 17, 2014 11:51 AM

    Hand slaps for all.

Leave A Reply

Recent News

Maine State Police Blindsided as Speaker Talbot Ross Claims They Support “Racial Profiling” Bill Written by ACLU

June 9, 2023

No Discipline for Social Worker Who Gave 13yo Girl Breast Binder Without Telling Mother, Says Maine State Board

June 9, 2023

State House Kills “Right to Work” Legislation Prohibiting Employment Conditional on Payment of Union Dues

June 9, 2023

Trump Indicted on Federal Charges in Classified Documents Probe as Biden Faces Bribery Allegations

June 9, 2023

Gov’s Late-Term Abortion Bill Heads to House Amid Acrimony [Podcast]

June 9, 2023
Newsletter

News

  • News
  • Campaigns & Elections
  • Opinion & Commentary
  • Media Watch
  • Education
  • Media

Maine Wire

  • About the Maine Wire
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Submit Commentary
  • Complaints
  • Maine Policy Institute

Resources

  • Maine Legislature
  • Legislation Finder
  • Get the Newsletter
  • Maine Wire TV

Facebook Twitter Instagram Steam RSS
  • Post Office Box 7829, Portland, Maine 04112

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

Sign In or Register

Welcome Back!

Login below or Register Now.

Lost password?

Register Now!

Already registered? Login.

A password will be e-mailed to you.