Florida officials say public-assistance fraud cases topped $806,000 in May after 12 arrests and 48 administrative actions tied to SNAP, Medicaid, and other benefit eligibility reviews.
Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia announced June 15 that the Florida Department of Financial Services Criminal Investigations Division identified $487,728 in fraud tied to arrests during the month, according to a DFS release.
An additional $318,895 came from 48 administrative cases that resulted in penalties such as SNAP disqualifications, officials said.
The largest case listed by the state involved Alexis Rivero, who was charged with public assistance fraud and grand theft totaling $221,787.88. The state said the case involved SNAP benefits and Medicaid.
The State Said One Case Accounted For More Than $221,000
The Rivero case was the largest arrest amount announced for May, according to DFS. The agency said Rivero fraudulently obtained $221,789 in SNAP benefits and Medicaid, using a rounded figure in its release.
The specific charge list used the more exact amount of $221,787.88. DFS said Rivero was charged with public assistance fraud and grand theft.
The charges remain allegations. The state’s release identified the people arrested, the charges, and the dollar amounts tied to each case, but it did not provide detailed case narratives or announce convictions.
Ingoglia said Florida would continue cracking down on public-assistance fraud and protecting taxpayer-funded programs.
The 12 Arrests Covered Amounts From $2,806 To $221,787.88
In addition to Rivero, DFS said Kristen Bowman was charged with public assistance fraud totaling $47,516.68.
Nelida Reyes-Carrasquillo was charged with making false statements for public aid and grand theft totaling $42,113.46, according to the state.
David Jacobs was charged with public assistance fraud totaling $41,925.28, while Karigan Burgos was charged with welfare fraud totaling $33,452.41.
DFS said Janelle Josephik was charged with public assistance fraud totaling $32,662.90, and Aurora Damian Chamu was charged with welfare fraud totaling $29,432.71.
The remaining cases listed by the state were Yamalys Parrilla at $18,123.78, Shlaberte Saintlouis at $9,855, Ricki Ambrose at $4,087.54, Carolyn Ruise at $3,964, and Tanya Yinger at $2,806.
Another 48 Cases Led To Administrative Penalties
The arrests were only part of the May total. DFS said the Bureau of Public Assistance Fraud also reviewed 48 cases that resulted in administrative action for fraud totaling $318,895.
Those cases were separate from the arrest list. Officials said the individuals were disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for 12 months, 24 months, or permanently, depending on their previous violation history.
That distinction matters because the state’s release combined two different enforcement tracks: criminal charges tied to arrests and administrative penalties tied to benefit eligibility violations.
Investigators Review Eligibility And Benefit Use
DFS said its Criminal Investigations Division reviews public-assistance cases to determine whether benefits were used properly and whether recipients met program eligibility rules.
CBS12 reported that investigators examine eligibility records, reported income, and household information to identify discrepancies that may indicate fraud.
The department encouraged anyone with information about public-assistance fraud to report it through Fraud Free Florida.
The May numbers show why the state separated the cases into two categories: one group involved criminal charges, while the other resulted in SNAP disqualifications and other administrative penalties.