16 Philly residents accused of welfare fraud

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NBC Philadelphia – Sixteen Philadelphia residents are facing charges, accused of scamming the state welfare system out of $330,000.

The Attorney General’s office says the fraud originated at the Philadelphia County Assistance office and centers around Kyshima Montgomery, a clerical worker there.

The Attorney General’s office says it started an investigation after the Department of Public Welfare noticed a large amount of “Special Allowances of One Time Issuance” being performed at the West District office.

This type of allowance is electronically transferred to the welfare recipient’s account and allows them to withdraw money using a debit card, according to the A.G.’s office.

Montgomery, of 2934 N. Judson St., Philadelphia, is accused of conspiring with 15 others to put money into their accounts, and investigators say she would withdraw most of the money for herself and would share the rest of the stolen money.

The people did not qualify for this type of financial assistance, investigators say.

A trial date for Montgomery is set for December 16, 2013. She is charged with theft by deception, unlawful use of a computer and criminal conspiracy, among other charges.

Click here to read the full list the co-conspirators charged in “Operation Special Allowances.”