Sept. 1, 2024 11:15a
(WGTD)---An Illinois couple allegedly engaged in a long-running and elaborate scheme to fraudulently claim thousands of dollars worth of food share and energy assistance benefits in Wisconsin.
51-year-old Hosea Giovanni and 50-year-old Tia Stevenson were charged in Racine Court last week with five felonies and two misdemeanors.
The purported loss over nearly a ten-year-long period totaled nearly $65,000, according to the criminal complaint.
The campaign of deception allegedly included forged documents, fake addresses, non-existent people and omissions of income. The complaint said numerous federal, state and local agencies were involved in the investigation that led to the charges.
While the couple purportedly lived in Round Lake Beach, Illinois, Giovanni bought storefronts in the 1100 blk. of Washington Ave. in Racine, and also sent his daughter to Racine schools.
Giovanni allegedly used a fake address within the block of buildings to apply and receive food share benefits, and also cited the Washington Ave. addresses for rental assistance.
To continue to qualify for an exemption from a work requirement, Giovanni claimed he was providing home care to his grandmother who was actually non-existent. Giovanni allegedly submitted a forged document from a medical center claiming he was providing medical care.
The complaint alleges that Stevenson--Giovanni's girlfriend--was in on the scheme while working for the postal service.
The defendants were released from jail after signing their bonds.
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