2 Women Charged With Public Assistance Fraud

ST. JAMES (AP) — Prosecutors have charged two St. James women with public assistance fraud.

36-year-old Erika Yolanda Gonzalez has been charged with felony wrongfully obtaining assistance and six felony counts of public assistance declaration violation. According to a criminal complaint, she received food support and medical assistance since 2011 without indicating that her husband was working, collecting $15,551 in overpayments.

Forty-two-year-old Heidi Joann Lowery faces the same charges. According to a criminal complaint, she failed to disclose that her ex-husband was living with her and working. She received $13,169 in assistance to which she wasn't entitled.

Gonzalez declined comment when reached by phone Monday. A voicemail left at a possible listing for Lowery wasn't immediately returned.