Arlington Woman Obtained $149K In Fraudulent DC Benefits: Prosecutors

ARLINGTON, VA — An Arlington woman was arrested and charged with falsely claiming residency in Washington, D.C., which allowed her to obtain more than $149,000 in fraudulent benefits, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.

Michia Pardlow, 29, a social services representative with the District of Columbia Department of Human Services, was arrested on Nov. 22. She was charged in a criminal complaint filed in the Superior Court for the District of Columbia with first-degree fraud, first-degree theft, and false statements in connection with obtaining D.C. resident benefits.

Pardlow made her initial court appearance on Nov. 22 and was released pending trial, the U.S. attorney’s office said Friday.

The D.C. Department of Human Services discovered the benefits claimed by Pardlow and referred the matter to the D.C. Office of the Inspector General for investigation, the U.S. attorney's office said.

According to court documents, Pardlow submitted signed applications, residency verification forms, and other documents to the District of Columbia’s Department of Human Services and Public Charter School Board claiming and verifying D.C. residency.

As a result, Pardlow was able to obtain D.C. benefits to which she was not entitled, including D.C. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Medicaid benefits, and free tuition for her two children to attend a D.C. public charter school, according to the U.S. attorney's office.

Non-D.C. residents are ineligible to receive D.C. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and Medicaid benefits. Non-D.C. residents who enroll their dependents in D.C. schools must apply as a non-resident and pay non-resident tuition.

The case is being prosecuted by the major crimes section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the public corruption section of the D.C. Office of the Attorney General.