AG: Dearborn Heights Woman Accused Of Welfare Fraud

LANSING, MI — A Dearborn Heights woman is facing 14 felony counts, including welfare fraud, for taking public benefits and lying to the state about her economic status, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced Monday.

Nessel said a criminal complaint against Tabarak Qasier Wutwut alleges that from Aug. 10, 2010 through Jan. 31, 2020, Wutwut received food assistance, Medicaid and child care benefits totaling more than $159,550 for herself and her minor children while claiming she had no income, no real property and no bank accounts.

However, an investigation by the MDHHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) determined that Wutwut owned several houses, received rent from some of those dwelling,s and that she had substantial funds in several different bank accounts, according to a Nessel.

Real estate records reflect that she owned a residence in Dearborn Heights that had an assessed value of $300,000, indicating a market value of $600,000, according to Nessel. Records further reflect that she purchased this property in 2015 for $776,000, and that she claimed a principal residence exemption for this property, Nessel said. Additional real estate records show that she owned other residential properties in Dearborn Heights and Detroit while receiving state assistance, Nessel said.

“Public assistance is available for the people who need it," Nessel said. "Those who cheat the rules by misrepresenting their eligibility do damage to the entire system and should be held accountable. I’m grateful for the work done by the MDHHS Office of Inspector General on this matter and my office is committed to ensuring that justice is served.”

MDHHS Inspector General Alan Kimichik said his staff works in partnership with state, federal and local agencies, including the attorney general’s office.

“The OIG works to ensure public assistance program integrity and accountability,” he said. “When someone commits fraud, it takes away from those in need and taxpayers pay the price. OIG returns those funds to their rightful purpose.”

Based on the MDHHS-OIG investigation, Nessel has charged Wutwut with seven counts of welfare fraud over $500; six counts of using a computer to commit a crime; and one count of welfare fraud over $500, failure to report, according to a news release.

According to prosecutors, the welfare fraud counts each carry a maximum penalty of four years imprisonment and/or a $5,000 fine; each count of using a computer to commit a crime carries a maximum penalty of seven years and/or $5,000; the crime of using a computer to commit a crime may be served consecutive to the underlying offense.

The counts of using a computer to commit a crime reflect the allegations that Wutwut used the MDHHS MI Bridges system to submit false certifications, Nessel said.

Wutwut was arraigned Monday and granted a personal recognizance bond, Nessel said.