PUBLIC ASSISTANCE FRAUD AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT TOOL

Did you know that a drug dealer or gang member living in Public Housing may be sufficient grounds for a search warrant?Or that the Food Stamp (EBT) card you found in the thief’s wallet may provide you with significant felony charges?How about that your target applying for a Pandemic / Disaster Loan may give you complete access to their bank accounts?

There are thousands of Public Assistance programs, often referred to as welfare throughout the United States.These programs gather information such as income, family members, and assets from applicants and participants.Additionally, they provide a significant amount of leverage and criminal charging potential.Such things as allowing others to stay with them, or not reporting a change in income can provide grounds to obtain a search warrant or be a felony charge.

This program will provide law enforcement officers with a basic understanding of the most common Public Assistance programs and identify activities which constitute violations of criminal law.