Have you been charged with Public Assistance Fraud, also known as Welfare Fraud, in the Tampa area? Has an investigator left his or her card at your door asking you to call to discuss possible welfare fraud charges?
In Florida, Public Assistance Fraud is a third degree felony offense punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000! The good news: most people accused of this crime are first time offenders and an attorney may be able to help her avoid severe penalties and put her on a payment plan to repay the government in exchange for the charges being dismissed!
At our firm we have represented dozens of people charged with this crime over the past few years alone. In most instances, we are able to work with the government to agree upon amount of restitution, or repayment, owed to the particular department that claims to have been defrauded. Once we agree upon an amount, a payment plan is set up and the State may dismiss the charges upon completion of repayment.
If you have had an investigator leave a card at your home, call an attorney today. He or she may be able to help you avoid an arrest. He or she may also be able to check if there is a warrant for your arrest already.