WASHINGTON — An Arlington County mother of four is accused of cashing in on thousands of dollars in food stamps which she didn’t deserve.
According to the Arlington County Police Department, Helen Agbapuruonwu, 41, of Arlington lied on forms to defraud the state’s welfare system of more than $100,000.
“It’s a lot of money, and it is money that is intended for those who are truly in need, who are low income and really need the government’s assistance,” Ashley Savage with Arlington County Police told our news partner NBC Washington.
Police say Helen Agbapuruonwu collected food stamps and Medicaid assistance between April 1, 2010 and Aug. 1, 2016.
NBC Washington reports her husband Fidelis Agbapuruonwu earned a $1.5 million salary last year as a D.C. attorney.
According to court records, investigators believe her husband has fled the United States to his native country, Nigeria.
Helen Agbapuruonwu has been arrested on charges of felony welfare fraud and document forgery.
