Brunswick County DSS worker investigated in largest fraud case in years

I wanted to get into social work when I was going to school. The chance to help those that needed it and such. I had a few friends in the foster program who's foster parents were amazing but were not getting help when they needed it most. So I started interviewing the people that work in that line, it was then I heard from all of them and seen what went on behind closed doors. It was scary, I seen them fighting for the chance to help people, and all they were getting was calls and letters accusing them of ruining families and all of these things that they were doing to help. Now hearing about the fraud I feel sorry for thse workers that are getting all this bad hype for a few. Remember when you were younger in school or at home one kid was bad the rest were punished same thing. It seems these "fraud" employees were tired of not getting the thanks or the pay that should have been. That does not mean I think it is/was right for them to do this. And they should get charged fully with this. I always heard "If you can't handle the heat get out of the kitchen". There are people every where every line of work that will do this. It just scares me to think that of the people that do get hurt with scams and fraud. I feel sorry for those that have been hurt by this. I personally changed my mind on that line of work after a week of interviewing different social workers, I could not handle a thankless job like that. I applaud all those that can do the job and congratulate those that do it honestly. Kat

Unfortunately this is not the only case of a social worker committing crimes. A social worker from Wilkes County was arrested and goes to court later this month for Felony Obstruction of Justice for forging my husband's name to a safety assessment that never occurred. We made the report of abuse and when we complained because they were breaking statutory law and not investigating our report of child abuse they came after us and forged documents to cover up their law breaking. Another Wilkes County employee was arrested for interfering with an arrest and hiding her sons drugs under her feet during his arrest. This woman is a CPS Supervisor for the Wilkes County Department of Social Services. For more on these stories and others across this state and country, visit my blogs at http://stopcorruptdss.wordpress.com or standupspeakup-leesa.blogspot.com The department of social services needs to be held accountable for the wrongs that are occurring within a system that is supposed to protect children. The system is broken and children are dying because of it.

I'm still amazed at how the work of an entire agency can be tarnished by the acts of very select minority. I would suggest that anyone wishing to comment on how corrupt Social Services is (as a whole), make sure they are at least informed enough on subjects such as eligibility requirements and FEDERAL guidelines governing Food Stamps and Medicare / Medicaid. People don't realize just how hard social services employees work to try and qualify those who really need assistance; and how much it really affects them as workers when they are unable to approve someone they KNOW desperately needs help due to (more often than not) state or federal guidelines over income limits. The system is not fair: it rewards those who choose not to do for themselves and punishes those that take responsibility for themselves, but find themselves in the position of needing a temporary helping hand. That much is true. The issue of fraud, however, has plagued the welfare system in general since it's inception. Human Health and Services statistics show that the largest portion of Medicaid Fraud is actually committed by those receiving the services. It's actually quite rare for a social worker or case worker to commit the type of fraud that occurred in Brunswick County. Fraud that, in my opinion, was probably due more to poor management oversight by Agency supervisors than a pervasive culture of fraud within the Department of Social Services. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but an informed opinion is more constructive, and is worth much more in finding solutions, than ignorant ramblings and misstatements of fact. The next time you see or speak to a member of social services, I would suggest you thank them for everything they do that you DON'T see. The time, effort, and energy they put into trying to help people make their lives better deserves our respect and admiration. Yes, it's their job...but remember, social services is a SERVICE...not an entitlement. They are there to help anyone that might need help...and they feel just as upset and angry when they cannot help those that really deserve the help. I would encourage everyone to remember this before categorizing the whole of the system (and all its employees) as corrupt.

This re-forces that it not the people stealing from the Department of Social Service but their own employee. Another way, the Department of Social Service as a whole is stealing from the people when the Department is hiring family member. For instance, the Department of Social Service in New Hanover County is called a family orient work place. That’s why so much stealing is going. There are others that have not been caught yet. What about the ones stealing food stamps.

THIS IS WHY PEOPLE THAT NEED HELP CAN'T GET IT!!! I HOPE THE OTHERS INVOLVED HAVE TO PAY BACK EVERY PENNY, ALONG WITH THE GREEDY APRIL STUKES. I HOPE SHE AND OTHERS REALIZE THAT THIS IS MONEY TAKEN AWAY FROM NEEDY FAMILIES AND CHILDREN (SOME OF THESE PEOPLE CAN'T EVEN GET ASSISTANCE)!

People who need benefits and qualify for them are constantly turned awaybecause you make a dollar or quarter over in income. You see why now don't you because the workers have plans of there own. I hope they are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.