Welfare Fraud in Maine? Investigation by Gov. Paul LePage (R)

"On Tuesday, Maine Gov. Paul LePage (R) released data on purchases made with state welfare benefits that he claimed exposed abuse, but they only add up to less than a percent of all benefit transactions.

The data show that there were more than 3,000 transactions at bars, sports bars, and strip clubs made with EBT (electronic benefit transfer) cards loaded with TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or welfare) and food stamp benefits between January 1, 2011 and November 15, 2013. The state doesn't track what was actually purchased, and some transactions can be withdrawals from ATMs at those locations. Given that there are about 50,000 of these transactions every month, or nearly 1.8 million in that time frame, as the state's Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) spokesman told the Bangor Daily News, they only make up "about two-tenths of 1 percent of total purchases and ATM withdrawals," the paper calculates."

[IamSpacedad]

There's a running joke that Maine is the 'deep south of the far north.'

Hopefully the sane Mainers will come to their senses and boot this poor-hating wingnut out.

[Vaguenoodle]

Hopefully people in Maine remember how much this guy disrespects them the next time he's up for reelection.

[ProteusChris]

how many of those 3, 000 are the strippers having to use food stamps because the club owner keeps most of their tips.

[eatmorenachos]

How about investigating state contracts? Lot of potential for fraud and abuse there. Any campaign donors getting lucrative deals? So much easier to pick on the poor and disabled.

[andysspam]

Le Page (or Le Puke) is a gross slug. The sooner we are done with him the better. He is an embarrassment for all Mainers, an utter disgrace. 

[Brimar]

I don't despise the poor, but as taxpayers we should all despise those (mostly corporations) that abuse our tax money. Yes the investigation came up with a relatively small number of possible wrongdoing. Those people should forfeit their benefits, unless they can provide reasonable explanations. As for the 5 year limit...conservative or liberal...pretty generous limit to pay an able bodied person. Sorry for the kids, but...

[briandort]

Does this guy even live in Maine? He needs to research his facts a bit more. He is a "low information voter", i.e. voted for Ohitler.

[mysticmarcella]

Keep in mind that the VENDOR has to be complicit in allowing the purchases of non-TANF products with a food stamp card. For instance, certain grocery items such as rotisserie chicken canNOT be purchased because they are 'hot' ready to eat food - - and the register knows the difference upon checkout. Same with paper towels, pet food etc. Just because a food stamp recipient lays those items on the checkout counter doesn't mean the cost will be automatically deducted from the food stamp card. Those will be separated out unless manually ( illegally ) over ridden.

[SPIDA-MANS]

If the Mitt Romney 47% comment proved anything is that this type of poor bashing doesn't affect conservative voters.  What we saw in the wake of the hidden video was the mentality "it's not me it's them.".  Despite it, you know, factually BEING them.

[lindaellis]

I can't wait until LePage is gone.  I am from Maine and am very hopeful Mike Michaud will defeat this cruel Governor. The good people of Maine must pay attention to the issues and vote the right man in, which is Michaud. VOTE!!

[Belo]

The fact that is a ridiculous percentage is not what really bothers me, what really bothers me is that instead of saying that the people are committing fraud by buying alcohol and cigarettes how come is not the companies that take the SNAP cards for payments of their non essential goods that are committing fraud?
Aren't corporations people too?

[fliteshare]

The pain in Maine is mostly caused by the insane.

[veggiescrub]

Now what was the total value of those 3, 000 transactions as compared to the cost of his study?

Then you have to prove to me that the $ was also used for nefarious things. You know you can get your TANF $ at the ATM, and most bars and what not have ATM's. Also if you live in many parts of Maine, the distance from one ARM to another can be significant.

[jackpotjonn]

There are going to be abuses of any program. The answer is not to demonize those who need help. The Governor needs to find ways to eliminate the abuses. That said, people always believe this rhetoric.

[bulbinking]

Main? Why don't we try this in mississippi and we will see all the abuses.

[dangerouslytalented]

what if they are buying food in these places, these places are the only places open at the time?

[richardisdorky]

Two tenths of 1%. That's below the margin of error. It might very well be a calculating error vs. fraud.

[drewzydog]

I wish that we held elections here in Maine during the middle of winter, when all of the old people migrate to Florida.

[JosephKerr]

Although fraud is not the major issue that some claim, the logical solution would be to restrict the establishments that accept EBT, not lessen financial aid to those who truly need welfare to survive.  I'd even go so far as prohibiting the purchase of alcohol, tobacco, and other luxuries if it meant more money would go to families in need.  But no...  We'll just punish the poor instead...

[markfromwi]

I will say it again...I love the fact that conservatives CAN'T do math!  They only show you raw numbers because they look huge.  But if they talk percentages, they have to move to the far the decimal point that is!  They can't bring themselves to move left, even though it is legitimate, with regards to math...