A nationwide welfare fraud crackdown has reached Massachusetts, resulting in the arrests of 15 people, including 11 suspected illegal immigrants, accused of stealing over $1.4 million in taxpayer-funded benefits.

Charges and Allegations

The defendants are accused of fraudulently obtaining benefits through programs such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food assistance, MassHealth, Social Security disability payments, housing assistance, and unemployment benefits, according to the Department of Justice.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Colin MacDonald stated that some of the defendants assumed stolen identities to steal these taxpayer-funded benefits and avoid detection. One defendant, Heriberto Rodriguez of Framingham, Massachusetts, is accused of carrying out over $546,000 in benefit fraud involving MassHealth, Social Security, housing assistance, and SNAP benefits.

Investigation and Response

U.S. Attorney Leah Foley said the arrests represent only the latest phase of a broader federal effort targeting fraud across Massachusetts. Federal prosecutors have charged more than 65 defendants in fraud-related cases since January, alleging over $56 million in losses.

Foley described the cases announced as evidence of ‘unchecked, unbridled, rampant fraud’ across the Commonwealth. The investigation was conducted with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations and multiple inspector general offices.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.