Racine woman charged in connection with welfare fraud

RACINE (WITI) -- 33-year-old Sharneta Claybrook of Racine has been charged in connection with welfare fraud.

Claybrook faces one count of Wisconsin Works -- failure to disclose changes -- a felony charge.

A criminal complaint in this case says a welfare fraud complaint was filed by the Racine County Human Services Department.

A fraud referral stated that when Brian Blair went to apply for public assistance, he told the financial assistance worker he was living with his son and Claybrook for awhile -- reporting that he had moved in with Claybrook back in April of 2008. This, according to the criminal complaint.

The complaint says Claybrook never reported to the Human Services Department that Blair was living with her and her son.

Therefore, the complaint says there was a child care overpayment between April of 2008 and July of 2009.

The fraud amount is listed at $14,245.89, according to the complaint.

The complaint says Claybrook was interviewed, and admitted Blair had lived with her around the time period of the investigation.

Claybrook told officials she was trying to repay the overpayment via wage garnishment and tax intercept, according to the complaint.

If convicted of the charge against her, Claybrook could face a maximum of six years in jail and a maximum of $10,000 in fines.

Claybrook has previous convictions, including maintaining a drug trafficking place -- a felony (1998), fail/cause child to attend school (2005) and operating after revocation (2011).