Post by Logan on Feb 5, 2016 20:04:15 GMT -6
Former Oregon DHS worker gets 2 years in prison, must repay $130K for welfare benefits theft
A former Oregon Department of Human Services employee must repay the agency more than $130,000 and serve one year and nine months in prison for stealing thousands of dollars in welfare benefits over a five-year span.
Danielle Ku Romero, 30, was convicted of identity theft, first-degree theft, unlawfully obtaining public assistance and first-degree official misconduct, on Jan. 28 in Multnomah County Circuit Court. She was also ordered to five years of post-prison supervision and could serve another six months in prison if she violates the terms of the agreement, said Ryan Lufkin, a deputy district attorney who prosecuted the case.
According to Lufkin, the thefts occurred before and while Ku Romero was employed by the human services department.
Ku Romero worked as a human services specialist from June 2011 until she was fired in January 2015, the department said. Her duties included issuing Oregon Trail cards and personal identification numbers to clients, as well as determining applicants' eligibility for expedited food stamps and other benefits.
Read more: www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2016/02/former_oregon_dhs_worker_gets.html
A former Oregon Department of Human Services employee must repay the agency more than $130,000 and serve one year and nine months in prison for stealing thousands of dollars in welfare benefits over a five-year span.
Danielle Ku Romero, 30, was convicted of identity theft, first-degree theft, unlawfully obtaining public assistance and first-degree official misconduct, on Jan. 28 in Multnomah County Circuit Court. She was also ordered to five years of post-prison supervision and could serve another six months in prison if she violates the terms of the agreement, said Ryan Lufkin, a deputy district attorney who prosecuted the case.
According to Lufkin, the thefts occurred before and while Ku Romero was employed by the human services department.
Ku Romero worked as a human services specialist from June 2011 until she was fired in January 2015, the department said. Her duties included issuing Oregon Trail cards and personal identification numbers to clients, as well as determining applicants' eligibility for expedited food stamps and other benefits.
Read more: www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2016/02/former_oregon_dhs_worker_gets.html