Audit: Caseworker scrutiny of Pa. welfare cash lacking

HARRISBURG (AP) — A state audit has revealed that Pennsylvania welfare caseworkers in many instances could not prove cash reimbursements to welfare recipients looking for work were justified.

Auditor General Jack Wagner said today that mismanagement in the Department of Public Welfare program created an environment for potential fraud and abuse that could cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars.

In all, $320 million was paid out during the 18 months in question.

Auditors examined more than 3,000 payments and found insufficient paperwork to justify 45 percent of them. Payments of $564,700 went to 163 people, ostensibly for items such as clothing, child care and transportation.

Public Welfare Secretary Estelle Richman said the audit identified some legitimate problems, and she is pursuing new regulations and staff training to help weed out fraud.