Correction: DHS issued a correction. The convict received a probation term of five years.
The Mississippi Department of Human Services issued the following statement.
The Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS), Office of Inspector General, Division of Investigation, announced a Pike County resident has entered into a plea agreement following an MDHS investigation into welfare fraud.
Katrina Harris of Pike County entered a plea agreement with the District Attorney in Pike County Circuit Court on March 31, 2026, related to fraudulent receipt of public assistance benefits. The investigation determined that Harris improperly received $69,881.00 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits by failing to accurately report her earned income and residence.
Harris was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay fines, fees, and restitution totaling $69,881.00.
“This is a great example of the continued collaboration between our investigations team, MDHS county offices, District Attorneys, and local law enforcement,” said Sandra Griffith, MDHS Inspector General.
The investigation was conducted by Agent Rushing with the MDHS Office of Inspector General’s Division of Investigation. Established in 2018, the Division is responsible for detecting, preventing, and deterring fraud, waste, and abuse and has recovered millions in SNAP overpayments since its inception.
“This investigation and plea agreement demonstrates that our efforts to protect public resources are working as intended,” said Robert G. “Bob” Anderson, MDHS Executive Director. “Every step we take to prevent fraud ensures that resources and support will continue to reach the Mississippians who need it most.”
Suspected fraud can be reported to MDHS at any time by submitting the Fraud Tip Form online at http://www.mdhs.ms.gov/report-
Kingfish note: Harris has to pay $500 per month in restitution.
22 comments:
I bet that restitution amount will be paid off in full by the end of this month.
NOTE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND JUDICIARY:
This is NOT deterence
There are a number of "other" welfare fraudsters that escaped from serving time..............
MDHS officials seemed pleased with themselves for giving a $70,000 loan to a thief with reimbursement payments of $500/month. What a bunch of idiots. What is the over/under when the thief stops making payments? One must question the critical thinking skills of these knuckleheads.
Would putting this woman in prison for a non-violent crime really help anyone, and for that matter, prevent others from the same? This would be just substituting one society drain with another. Having to be responsible to the state for 40 years is only different from prison time is that she is still responsible for her own survival and not another financial drain on law-abiding citizens.
Katrina is looking at a nearly 12 year payment plan and reporting to the system for 40 years. Probably a fair trade for staying out of prison.
She's laughing all the way to the club!
40 yrs of probation? If she gets into any trouble with law enforcement she might end up in jail. That will over her head for a looong time. Not so sure the money was worth it.
@ 2:13 right-Let's not imprison any thieves or burglars, tax frauds. etc.
What good would it do to put her in jail, he asks. Consider the word deterrent. Being asked to pay it back, over time, is damned sure NOT a deterrent.
It is probable that she will violate the terms by committing a new crime and have her probation revoked to spend most of her time in the CMCF including the additional time for the new charges.
It happens…cuz none can fly straight
No penalties or interest? And the state has admin costs and fees associated with this? We need someone with math skills running this operation. In the off chance it gets paid in full, the state is still out thousands.
"The investigation determined that Harris improperly received $69,881.00 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits by failing to accurately report her earned income and residence."
"Harris was sentenced to forty years of probation and ordered to pay fines, fees, and restitution totaling $69,881.00."
How much did this farce cost us taxpayers?
So, where are the checks and balances? Shouldn't we be more concerned with how she was able to receive this amount of funds/benefits without flags being raised?
That'll take almost 12 years to pay off without any interest figured in ! You want to bet she'll start missing payments in the first year and then get "lost" in the shuffle !
4:20 Exactly where are the protocols. Some of y’all at MDHS ain’t doing shigity. Get a hit and post it. Look Real good MDHS. Pat yourselves on the back! When are y’all going to give away some more of those millions of that TANAF money!
You mean the "checks and balances" performed by entitled government slackers?
Come on! No way! It will take two months, maybe three.
Where can I sign up for a loan with a payment plan like this?? Asking for a friend…. This is better terms than the bank gives me for my HELOC!!!!!
Katrina will quit paying and move later this year to a town at least two states away, where MS won't bother with extradition for crimes like this.
Shout out to Deputy Phil for blowing the whistle on welfare fraud!
Shout out to Auditor Shad (AKA The bean counter from the wrong Oxford) for believing Phil!
Did she get charged that crazy Shad White interest rate?
Post a Comment