PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A former employee with the state’s Department of Human Services resigned her position amid an internal fraud investigation, officials confirmed.
Maureen D. McDonald appeared in Multnomah County Circuit on Thursday where she was arraigned on a six count indictment.
McDonald is charged with one count each of unlawfully using a food stamp benefit or food commodity, computer crime, ID theft, second-degree theft, official misconduct, and conspiracy to commit unlawful use of a food stamp benefit or food commodity.
The allegations show prosecutors believe she obtained a food stamp benefit under a food stamp plan that she was not authorized for.
Records show that McDonald accessed a state computer network for personal reasons. Investigators declined to release specific details about the allegations.
Christy Sinatra, a spokesperson with DHS, said via email that the agency would not be able to provide an interview or statement regarding the McDonald allegations.
The agency did confirm that McDonald worked as a human resource specialist from June 1999 and then transitioned into an office specialist. She resigned her position as a human services specialist in Nov. 2015.
“Her position duties included determining applicants’ eligibility for expedited food stamps and other benefits,” Sinatra said via email.
The agency would not comment on what prompted its internal probe into McDonald. However, Sinatra added tips into suspected fraud can be reported by two methods.
- By calling the DHS Fraud Hotline at 1-888-372-8301
- By submitting a report online at www.oregon.gov/dhs
McDonald declined opportunities for comment on Thursday. Her next court date is scheduled for April 2.
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