'Ghost' Workers Charged In Welfare Scheme
PITTSBURGH (AP) - A woman who used to work for a company that contracted with the Department of Public Welfare to pay caregivers is among several charged in a counterfeit check cashing scheme involving "ghost" workers.
Online court documents don't list an attorney for 31-year-old LaShawna Wilson, of Swissvale, who is charged with theft and related counts, along with 12 other people involving checks totaling more than $55,000.
The Allegheny County District Attorney's Office says Wilson worked for the contractor, Christian Financial Management, when she created six ghost employees, including her aunt, uncle, mother and dead stepfather.
Paychecks were issued to the ghost employees and others, who cashed them at a Penn Hills supermarket where an employee was also allegedly in on the scheme.
The company isn't accused of wrongdoing, but another firm has since been hired to pay welfare providers.
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