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Youth representative charged with theft
By Stephanie Flemmons, Staff writer
A Plano youth personal representative was recently charged with theft after nine months of stealing gift cards issued by the government to help the needy.
Carolyn F. Kelly was placed on two years probation, ordered to make $1,400 restitution, pay a $500 fine and perform 80 hours of community service.
From approximately March 2007 to January 2008, Kelly, who worked with the North Texas Human Resource Group in Plano, a former contractor of the North Central Texas Workforce Board, manipulated the Workforce Investment Act incentive gift cards receipts by forging the youth participants’ names and requesting additional gift cards for her personal use.
According to the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), the cards are designed to help people get clothing to look presentable at jobs and in some cases buy material required at certain jobs.
TWC said they issue cards depending on the applicant’s income level. They said the government has recognized this incentive as a barrier for some to keep a job along with supplying funds for childcare and transportation.
The agency said the conviction was a combined effort by the Texas Workforce Commission, U.S. Marshall’s Fugitive Task Force and the U.S. Department of Labor.
TWC staff said the prevention, detection and elimination of fraud and abuse in the Unemployment Insurance program are top priorities, ensuring that funds are available exclusively to those who meet the eligibility requirements.
The TWC said when the Fraud Detection Unit detects fraud they immediately seek reimbursement. All recovered funds are returned to the Texas Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund.
Contact Stephanie Flemmons at sflemmons@acnpapers.com
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