A Green River woman who pleaded guilty to welfare fraud of about $23,000 will need to pay the money back during her supervised probation.
Maria Magana appeared in the Third District Court of Judge Nena James at a change of plea and sentencing hearing to a felony charge of public welfare benefits fraud.
In exchange for Magana’s guilty plea to the felony charge, she will be placed on two-years supervised probation. If Magana completes all of her probation terms and conditions, then the charge will be dismissed under Wyoming Statute 7-13-301. This statute is for first-time offenders and can only be used once.
One of the conditions of Magana’s probation is for her to pay $22,878.16 in restitution to the Fraud and Recovery Unit Wyoming Department of Family Services.
According to affidavit information, on May 17, 2012, the Department of Family Services Fraud and Recovery Unit received an anonymous letter which asked how Magana and her husband Horacio Magana could receive benefits based on their household income.
An investigator with the DFS Fraud and Recovery Unit started to review the Medicaid applications made by Maria and started verifying the household income from her husband, Horacio.
On Dec. 3, 2009, Maria submitted a renewal form for Medicaid for her two children to DFS. She reported the household income, which included her husband, Horacio to be $2,000. The actual income for that month was $4,737.50.
On Oct. 25, 2010, Maria submitted a renewal form for Medicaid for her two children to DFS. She reported the household income, which included her husband, Horacio to be $2,100. The actual income for that month was $7,815.76
On Oct. 6, 2011, Maria submitted a renewal form for Medicaid for her two children to DFS. She reported the household income, which included her husband, Horacio to be $2,100. The actual income for that month was $7,562.50.
On Dec. 27, 2011, Maria submitted an application for the Pregnant Woman Program. Maria indicated that her husband, Horacio, was the father and that the household income was $2,300. The actual income for that month was $7,050.
On Sept. 4, 2012, Maria submitted a renewal form for Medicaid for her three children to DFS. She reported the household income, which included her husband, Horacio to be $2,500. The actual income for that month was $8,877.
On April 12, 2013, Maria submitted a renewal form for Medicaid for her three children to DFS. She reported the household income, which included her husband, Horacio to be $2,500. The actual income for that month was $8,326.
On July 23, 2013, Maria submitted a renewal form for Medicaid for her three children to DFS. She reported the household income, which included her husband, Horacio to be $2,500. The actual income for that month was $6,496.
On each of the applications, Maria reported the household income to DFS, but on each application she under reported the income. During these periods, Maria and each of her children were not eligible for medical services.
The total tax payer dollars allegedly unlawfully received is $22,868.16.
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