No contest plea for Miami County woman accused of food stamp fraud

TROY - A West Milton woman accused of stealing around $60,000 in food stamp and Medicaid benefits combined pleaded no contest today to felony illegal use of food stamps and Medicaid fraud in Miami County Common Pleas Court.

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Theresa Harris, 57, was accused of making false and misleading statements to obtain reimbursement from the Medicaid program between June 21, 2008, and Aug. 1, 2016, and buy, sell, alter, use, accept or transfer food stamp-related benefits during the same time period.

County prosecutors said she was accused of the theft of around $34,000 in food stamp benefits and $26,000 in Medicaid benefits.

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As part of a plea deal, prosecutors amended the illegal use of food stamps to a lesser degree felony and Harris signed a public benefits disqualification agreement.

Judge Christopher Gee found Harris guilty, ordered a presentence investigation and scheduled sentencing for July 17.

NANCY BOWMAN, CONTRIBUTING WRITER