Judge Upholds Firing of State Worker Accused of Food Stamp Fraud

Ida Johnson was accused of fraudulently applying for assistance after Tropical Storm Irene in 2011

A Superior Court judge has upheld the firing of a state employee accused of lying to get federal food stamp benefits in 2011.

Court documents say Ida Johnson, an employee of the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, understated her income, failed to disclose her husband's income and counted her son as a member of her household even though he was in prison.

Judge Jane Scholl agreed this week with a state arbiter's decision.

The Journal Inquirer reports that Johnson's lawyer says he will not appeal.

Johnson was among 185 state employees investigated after they applied in September 2011 for the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program after Tropical Storm Irene.

The state says 170 employees were disciplined with 97 fired and 53 suspended.

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