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Update: Suspect Arrested for Food Subsidy Fraud

For Immediate Release: Thursday, March 7, 2013

In November of 2012, the 4th District Community Services Officer received information that Bernadette Hall, a recipient of low income housing subsidies from the Housing Opportunities Commission (HOC) of Montgomery County, appeared to be misrepresenting her income in order to qualify for a housing subsidy.  Because Hall is a Montgomery County Ride On bus driver, the officer was able to quickly determine Hall's income.  Based on the officer's investigation, he determined that Hall was misrepresenting her income in order to qualify for a housing subsidy.

On December 21, 2012, Bernadette Hall, age 45, of the 3600 block of Winter Laurel Terrace in Olney,was charged with two counts of forgery of private documents, theft scheme $1,000 to under $10,000, theft $1,000 to under $10,000, theft: less than $1,000 value, and making a false statement for the purpose of influencing a housing agency.

During this investigation, the officer determined that Hall also submitted a fraudulent  application to the the Montgomery County Department of Social Services in order to receive a food subsidy.  Hall altered her Montgomery County pay advice to make it appear that she earned less money.

On March 5, Bernadette Hall was arrested and charged with theft: less $1,000 value, welfare fraud, and making a fraudulent statement in an application to obtain public assistance (food stamps).

The officer and State's Attorney's Office are working together to determine if a charge of theft scheme is applicable in connecting these two cases.

Original Release : "Suspect Arrested for HOC Fraud"

RLI
Bernadette HallBernadette Hall (Original Image)


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Release ID: 13-065
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: press-releases