Pa. man sentenced to prison for welfare fraud

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A Philadelphia man who authorities say used multiple identities to illegally collect public-assistance benefits worth $359,000 has been sentenced to more than a year behind bars.

The state inspector general’s office said today that 64-year-old Gregory William Miller pleaded guilty to welfare fraud and was sentenced by a Philadelphia judge to serve 15 to 30 months at Graterford state prison.

He also was ordered to pay $50 a month toward restitution, fines and court costs.

Authorities say Miller used as many as 10 names and addresses to fraudulently obtain cash assistance, food stamps and medical assistance benefits between 2001 and 2009.

Inspector General Michael Sprow, whose office is responsible for investigating such cases, says welfare fraud is not a victimless crime and won’t be treated as such.