(Jackson, Miss.) – A Greenwood, Miss. resident has been arrested for SNAP fraud following an investigation conducted by the Investigations Division of the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS).
Investigators found that Rhonda Luckett received an over issuance of SNAP benefits in the amount of $28,362.00 due to Luckett failing to correctly report her household composition and household income to MDHS. Luckett failed to report that her children’s father was living in the home and working from January 2015, through October 2019. This was supported by documentation provided by the Mississippi Department of Revenue and the father’s employer.
A Leflore County Grand Jury indicted Luckett on a charge of food stamp fraud. The maximum penalty for food stamp fraud is three years in jail and up to $10,000 in fines.
The case was investigated by Brett Estes, Northern Region Investigative Supervisor for MDHS.
The Investigations Division, under the direction of Eric Johnson, is part of the Office of Inspector General in MDHS. Created in August 2018 and charged with detecting, preventing, and deterring fraud, waste, and abuse within the agency, OIG has been responsible for millions in dollars collected from misused eligibility funds.
“I’m very grateful for the work done by our investigations division to identify and investigate fraudulent activity and work closely with District Attorneys’ Offices to prosecute violators,” said Robert G. “Bob” Anderson, MDHS Executive Director. “These efforts not only protect taxpayer dollars; they ensure these benefits go to the individuals who need them.”
Suspected fraud can be reported MDHS online any time submitting the MDHS Fraud Tip Form at https://www.mdhs.ms.gov/report-fraud/, calling the Fraud Tip Line during normal business hours at 1-(800)-299-6905, or email at fraud@mdhs.ms.gov.