Tax Dollars at Work, Feeding the Truly Needy.
[Many questions are raised, not the least of which is WTF was a guy on food stamps doing playing $20 lottery tickets BEFORE he won???]
AUBURN — The attorney for an Auburn man who continues to receive state food assistance despite winning $2 million nearly one year ago says his client has done nothing illegal.
“He did call the state (Department of Human Services),” said John M. Wilson, the Midland attorney representing Leroy Fick. “Not to mention, the state knows he won. They issued the check.”
Fick won the $2 million top jackpot in the "Make Me Rich!" Lottery game in June, state records show.
According to the Michigan Lottery’s website, Fick earned the right to appear on the show after winning $1,000 on one of the lottery’s $20 instant games.
After taxes, Fick received about $850,000, said Wilson.
Despite the windfall, Fick continues to use a Michigan Bridge Card, an electronic alternative to food stamps.
“Under federal guidelines, lottery winnings are counted as income when determining whether a person is eligible for food assistance if the client receives regular ongoing payments,” said Gisgie D. Gendreau, DHS public relations director. “Under federal guidelines, if the person received a lump-sum payment, the winnings are not counted.”
Al Kimichik, director of the DHS Office of Inspector General, said state authorities are taking steps to change that policy.
“Food assistance on the Bridge card is a federal program guided by federal regulations,” said Kimichik.
Wilson said that not only did state authorities instruct Fick to continue to use his Bridge card, his case recently was reviewed and his eligibility confirmed.
“It’s not him,” said Wilson. “As far as him doing the right thing by DHS, he did the right thing.”
Gendreau said DHS investigators are “aggressively pursuing opportunities to ensure that the state’s limited resources are available to those who are truly needy.”
“That’s why we refer any allegations of fraud or abuse to the DHS Office of Inspector General and encourage anyone who suspects it to report it by calling 800-222-8558 or on our website at www.michigan.gov/dhs.”
Fick could not be reached. |
