Since we have a lot of Welfare Fraud Investigators reading this blog, I thought I would ask your opinion. We know the Welfare Fraud Unit is about as screwed up as it gets. We know Linda Haugen and Virginia Lugo would eliminate the “cowboys,” i.e., the sworn members of the unit, if they could. We also know their attitudes have to do with the fact that admitting there is Welfare fraud in this county does not mesh with their empire building, that is, if fraud investigators arrest welfare cheats then caseloads drop which reduces the size of the empire.
So, I keep wondering why we don’t put the investigators over in the District Attorney’s office or the Sheriff’s Office where arresting criminals doesn’t get you written up or fired. I’m guessing that at least part of the fraud unit receives federal funding, but I don’t know that for sure. If it does, it seems some of that budget magic could be worked so that it somehow becomes a win-win situation for the General Fund.
Am I the only one who remembers the days when the welfare rolls were cross-referenced with a warrant database and the fraud investigators would clear hundreds of warrants and lock up lots of bad guys? I don’t understand why that isn’t still done. It was a win-win situation for the taxpaying citizens of the county. Any answers?
lock ‘em up and let ‘em out?
Sharon I can’t believe you said, working at the DA’s or Sheriff’s office where arresting criminals won’t get you written up or fired?????
Would you like the re-think that one???? LOL!!!!
LOL. Yeah. But I’m really talking about a department that doesn’t want its employees making any arrests whatsoever. It’s bad for business.
Sue, if that is the argument we are going to use, then lets eliminate all law enforcement. With the exception of murderers, everyone gets out at some point. Allowing fleeing felons to stay on welfare just because they will be released at some point in the future if arrested isn’t right.
Administrator: I don’t know what position(s) you held in your 30 year tenure, but you obviously have no insight to welfare fraud. Read my blog of February 25, 2010 and it explains why “fraud” isn’t what it used to be. Additionally, fleeing felons are ineligible to welfare benefits. You really should educate yourself prior to making statements.
In the Know,
It would appear you are the one who should educate yourself before making statements. Fraud is not allowed to run every applicant through a criminal data base. Therefore, unless an applicant self-reports as being a “fleeing felon” or someone tips off fraud, that person will in fact be approved for welfare. I have made numerous fraud referrals for just such cases.
Sharon here is a little info that is close to how it works from what I recall on funding.
The Program Integrity department (PID) which is run by Lugo consist of QRS, Appeals, and Fraud Investigators (FIU). The PID unit is about 80% federally funded, some report 90%. The fraud investigators tried to go to the DA’s office last year but because of the federal funding issues and the fact that a majority of the investigators have some type of medical issues that prevents them from being full time peace officers, PC830.31, their attempted transfer to the DA didn’t happen. (plus Lugo was against it) Fraud Investigators are 830.35, limited peace officers. The cowboys you refer to are the investigators that wish to actually investigate welfare fraud cases not be glorified home call workers as Lugo has turned them into today because of her micro managing and belief that there is very little fraud in this county. Fraud is unchecked in this county as the investigators are not allowed to spend an adequate amount time or use their skills as investigators to stop fraud. I realize the new CAO has many items on his plate but another in depth complete grand jury investigation into the FIU unit needs to be completed to show just how much Lugo doesn’t support proactive fraud investigations and how she believes that there is only about 2% fraud in the county. Ask a case worker how much fraud there is in SB County, they will tell you the truth and it isn’t even close to 2%, more like 20%. Many of the investigators have left the FIU unit because of Lugo’s management. Retired and former investigators would be a good place for the grand jury to start their interviews. They would be shocked at what isn’t being done by the fraud unit to stop fraud because of the management of PID.
Administrator: the fact that someone is receiving benefits because they weren’t truthful doesn’t change their eligibilty status.