Overwhelming evidence suggests that having children can make you happier. And there are countless reasons why. Children can transform the way we interact with the world. And instill a sense of responsibility. They can even deepen our capacity for emotional health. And if that is not enough, consider that they can be an asset when committing fraud. That is how Willia Watts, mother of four, found her joy. Using each child in some capacity to fraudulently receive benefits from four different federal programs intended to benefit eligible persons in need. Section 8 housing vouchers, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (“SNAP”), Social Security Survivors benefits, and Medicaid. Oh joy.
To qualify for these programs, Watts lied and represented that one or more of her children was living with her and needed services, when all three of the children were living with other family members. Distance does make the heart grow fonder! Watts recertified her benefit applications annually, claiming that she was in possession of all three children. This resulted in Watts receiving benefits from the federal programs that she was not entitled to receive.
Joy has no boundaries when it comes to children. Watts engaged in this scheme in Indiana after engaging in a nearly identical scheme in Kentucky in 2016. She was convicted in 2018 and sentenced to three years in prison, which was suspended to probation. One would think, Watts couldn’t expand her schemes to other states. But Watts started and continued her Indiana scheme throughout her prosecution and sentencing in Kentucky. It will be at least one year till Watts can move to another state and initiate another scheme for using her children. On August 19, 2024, she was sentenced to one and a half years in prison for fraudulently receiving housing, food, medical and social security benefits.
Great job by the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration who investigated this case.
Today’s Fraud of The Day is based on article “Clarksville woman sentenced after fraudulently obtaining government assistance” published by Fox News on August 19, 2024.
A Clarksville woman was recently sentenced to 1.5 years in prison after she pleaded guilty to fraudulently receiving federal assistance for housing, food, medical and social security.
According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana, 42-year-old Willie Watts pleaded guilty to stealing federal benefits from the Section 8 Housing Voucher, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance and Social Security programs from 2014 to 2021. After her prison time, Watts will serve three years of supervised release, according to officials.
