Chicago —(ENEWSPF)—October 19, 2015. Attorney General Lisa Madigan today announced that several relatives of a former Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) caseworker were arraigned on criminal charges in an ongoing case dubbed “Operation All in the Family.”
Three family members of former IDHS employee Debra Moore pleaded not guilty in Cook County Criminal Court to charges related to their involvement in Moore’s scheme to defraud the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Two family members, Timothy Moore and Elvan Jones, did not appear in court and are being sought by law enforcement authorities, based on outstanding arrest warrants.
Last month Madigan announced that Moore, 63, of Baytown, Texas, and formerly of Chicago, pleaded not guilty to charges of being the Organizer of a Continuing Financial Crimes Enterprise, and of Identity Theft, Wire Fraud and Official Misconduct. If convicted, she faces up to 30 years in prison.
After Madigan’s investigation into Debra Moore’s actions revealed wrongdoing by family members, the following five members of Moore’s family were indicted Sept. 30 and have been charged with a Continuing Financial Crimes Enterprise, a Class 1 felony punishable by probation or up to 15 years in prison:
Brenda Moore, 57, of Indianapolis, IN, Debra Moore’s sister;
Cassandra Brooks, 50, of Chicago, Debra Moore’s sister, who was also charged with the Theft of Government Monies, a Class 1 felony;
Timothy Moore, 38, of Rancho Cucamonga, CA, Debra Moore’s son;
Lisa Jones, 41, of McKinney, TX, Debra Moore’s daughter; and
Elvan Jones, 40, of McKinney, TX, Debra Moore’s son-in-law,
“These individuals conspired to steal limited funding from Illinois’ most vulnerable families for their own personal benefit,” said Madigan. “They must be held accountable.”
Madigan has alleged that Moore, a former IDHS caseworker, was selling LINK cards and adding unauthorized benefits to accounts of family and friends in exchange for cash payments. Between 2004 and 2013, Moore allegedly added more than $700,000 of unauthorized benefits to ineligible recipients and often received cash payments in exchange.
Madigan is alleging that the defendants benefitted from Moore’s actions over a period of years. Brenda Moore’s next court date is set for Nov. 9, and the next court date for Cassandra Brooks and Lisa Jones is set for Nov. 19. Warrants are outstanding for the arrests of Timothy Moore and Elvan Jones.
Assistant Attorney General Kilby Macfadden and Associate Director James S. Dorger are handling the case for Madigan’s Public Integrity Bureau. The investigation was conducted in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture Office of the Inspector General and the Illinois Department of Human Services.
The public is reminded that the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Source: www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov
