Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Billings on July 1, 2009, before Senior U.S. District Judge Jack D. Shanstrom, LYNN ANN GARDIPEE, a 36-year-old resident of Texas, formerly of Billings and Bozeman, pled guilty to federal welfare assistance fraud. Sentencing is set for September 30, 2009. She is currently released on special conditions.

In an Offer of Proof filed by the United States, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:

From October of 2001 to December 27, 2007, GARDIPEE received overpayments of $13,465 in food stamps, $1,546 in Temporary Assistance to Needy Families Program (TANF) funds, and over $19,567 in Medicaid payments to which she was not entitled and would not have received if she had been truthful about her income and circumstances.

GARDIPEE faces possible penalties of 5 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Bill Mercer prosecuted the case for the United States.

The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture - Office of Inspector General.

A copy of the Offer of Proof can be obtained by contacting Sally Frank at (406) 247-4638.

 

 

Return to Top