Brunswick Woman Convicted For Stealing $60,000 in Food Stamps and Child Care Reimbursement Benefits

December 2, 2011

AUGUSTA ? Attorney General William J. Schneider announced that Sarah E. Fairbanks, 40, of Brunswick, was convicted after a two day jury trial in Cumberland County Superior Court on November 30, 2012 on all counts in a three count indictment charging her with Theft by Deception and Unsworn Falsification.

Fairbanks was convicted of stealing almost $60,000 in benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps) and Child Care Development Fund Voucher Program (CCDF) from January 2005 through May 2010.

Fairbanks falsely reported to the Maine Department of Health and Human Services that she was separated from her husband and living alone with her children and repeated this claim in written applications in order to qualify for and keep her benefits. In fact, Fairbanks was living with and receiving support from her husband. The income she reported was at least 70% lower than her actual household income.

?These programs are targeted to provide benefits for Maine families truly in need. We will continue to partner with DHHS to hold benefit recipients accountable for the proper use of our limited resources,? said Attorney General Schneider.

This case was investigated by the Maine DHHS Fraud Investigation and Recovery Unit. Assistant Attorney General Peter Black handled this matter for Attorney General Schneider?s Criminal Division.