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The Attorney General’s Office has arrested a Grays Ferry man and ex-state worker for fraud.
A former income maintenance caseworker at Delaware County Assistance Office in Darby, Ivan Jones, 47, of the 1400 block of South Etting Street, is believed to have stolen public assistance benefits totaling about $39,000, according to an Attorney General press release. A Lansdowne woman also was apprehended for a separate scheme at the same office. Both arrests were the result of an ongoing investigation targeting public assistance fraud. Additional arrests are expected.
Between 2007 and ’11 Jones allegedly used the names of existing beneficiaries to open new accounts and authorize payments to them without their knowledge, according to the release. He is believed to have sent EBT cards to various Delaware County addresses and his Grays Ferry home. Surveillance video at ATMs and banks allegedly captured Jones using the cards to withdraw funds. Additionally, he is believed to have made deals with two other public assistance recipients to raise their benefits and split the proceeds.
Jones was arrested July 27 and charged with five counts of theft by deception, criminal use of a communication facility and unlawful use of a computer; and two counts of criminal conspiracy. Each charge could result in up to seven years in jail and $15,000 in fines, according to the release.
He was released on his own recognizance July 31. His arraignment is set for Aug. 23.
Contact Managing Editor Amanda L. Snyder at asnyder@southphillyreview.com or ext. 117.
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