
A Shelton woman arrested Wednesday illegally collected more than $100,000 in public assistance by lying to qualify for benefits, according to prosecutors.
Natalia Wittmer, 47, was arrested on a charge of first-degree larceny by defrauding a public community by inspectors from the Statewide Prosecution Bureau in the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney.
The crime is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
The arrest came after a complaint by the state Department of Social Services, according to a prepared statement from the Division of Criminal Justice.
The social services department administers the Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) from which Wittmer is accused of stealing.
“According to the arrest warrant affidavit, Wittmer and her family received more than $39,800 in SNAP benefits and another $65,128 in Medicaid benefits between January 2012 and December 2016,” the statement said. “The investigation determined that Wittmer’s income far exceeded program guidelines and that her lifestyle, which included owning several real estate properties and expensive automobiles, was inconsistent with the financial picture she painted in the paperwork she filed with DSS.”
Witmmer was released after posting $5,000 bond and is scheduled to appear at Superior Court in Derby April 5.