Welfare fraud charge withdrawn against Scott tax collector challenger
A charge of welfare fraud that was filed in February against the Republican candidate for tax collector in Scott was withdrawn this week after she paid the money back.
Leann Monz, 34, a Realtor with Howard Hanna, paid restitution, leading to the withdrawal of the misdemeanor count before a preliminary hearing was scheduled to go forward Monday in City Court.
A spokesman for the Allegheny County District Attorney’s office said it is not unusual for charges in a welfare fraud case to be withdrawn if a defendant makes restitution prior to the preliminary hearing.
Ms. Monz unlawfully obtained $1,965 in welfare benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly referred to as food stamps, when she “knowingly failed to report” that her husband, Michael Monz, was working and receiving income, according to a private criminal complaint filed by Agent Susan Banaszak-Catena of the state Office of Inspector General and approved by the DA’s office.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/local/south/2017/05/11/Leann-Monz-welfare-fraud-Scott-tax-collector/stories/201705110076