Prosecutors have charged seven people with welfare fraud in the Leadville area in cases that authorities say altogether totaled more than $100,000 in stolen money and services.
The 5th Judicial District Attorney’s Office says the cases came following an investigation by the Lake County Department of Human Services which centered around benefits those accused received in the form of food assistance and health care.
The seven men and women are facing charges that include forgery, theft and attempt to influence a public servant.
“Theft of public services is a serious matter which victimizes not only DHS, but our communities as a whole,” District Attorney Bruce Brown said in a statement. “These are services and monies that should be reserved for those truly in need and willing to follow the law in order to apply for such programs. Perpetrators who take funds are not entitled to harm the truly needy who may be deprived of assistance.”
Brown’s office announced the cases on Friday.
Brown says his office has prosecuted over a dozen similar cases in his judicial district — which also includes Summit, Eagle and Clear Creek counties — over the past year. Those resulted in some $160,000 in restitution being ordered by courts.
