BIDDEFORD — On July 25, a Biddeford woman pleaded guilty to welfare fraud and was required to spend 10 days in jail and pay restitution to the city.
Susan J. Toulouse-Laws, 54, of Cutts Street, pleaded guilty at York County Superior Court in Alfred to theft by deception. She was sentenced to two years of imprisonment, with all but 10 days suspended. In addition, she was ordered to pay $2,400 in restitution to the City of Biddeford.
Director of Health & Welfare Vicky Edgerly said she referred the case to the police department last year.
“When someone gives us information that is contradictory, then we will call the detective and ask him to research it,” she said.
Starting in January 2013, Toulouse-Laws applied for general assistance from the City of Biddeford, stating that she couldn’t work because of the ill effects of a medical procedure, according Deputy Police Chief JoAnne Fisk.
“She claimed to have no income,” said Fisk.
According to Fisk, Toulouse-Laws requested money to pay her rent, utilities and for personal needs.
Toulouse-Laws applied for general assistance for most months from January through July 2013, said Fisk.
In July, Edgerly referred the case to the Biddeford Police, and Detective Guy Godbout investigated. Upon calling her employer, Advanced Marketing Solutions in Saco, Godbout learned that Toulouse-Laws “had received pay for every month she claimed she wasn’t working,” and during the months when she received general assistance, according to Fisk.
Fisk stressed that Advanced Marketing Solutions had done nothing illegal.
She also said that the police department will vigorously investigate any suspicions of welfare fraud, charge individuals in which such activity is believed to have taken place, and refer the cases to the York County Attorney General’s Office for prosecution.
— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.
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