Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia announced the arrest of 12 individuals for defrauding assistance programs of $487,728 through a press release this week.
The bust was part of a larger $806,000 crackdown in May 2026.
"If you think you can scheme your way into profiting off of public assistance benefits, think again," Ingoglia said. "Florida will continue to set the standard for cracking down on public assistance fraud and ensuring that criminals who try to engage in fraudulent schemes will face the consequences of their actions. I want to applaud the work of my investigators who work tirelessly to protect taxpayer-funded programs and hold these criminals accountable.”
The twelve arrested by the Department of Financial Services Criminal Investigations Division (CID) include Alexis Rivero, who is accused of fraudulently obtaining $221,789 out of SNAP benefits and Medicaid.
The following were also arrested by CID.
- Kristen Bowman: Accused/charged of public assistance fraud totaling $47,516.68.
- Nelida Reyes-Carrasquillo: Accused/charged of making false statements for public aid and grand theft totaling $42,113.46.
- David Jacobs: Accused/charged of public assistance fraud totaling $41,925.28.
- Janelle Josephik: Accused/charged of public assistance fraud totaling $32,662.90.
- Aurora Damian Chamu: Accused/charged with welfare fraud totaling $29,432.71.
- Tanya Yinger: Accused/charged with public assistance fraud totaling $2,806.
- Ricki Ambrose: Accused/charged with public assistance fraud totaling $4,087.54.
- Yamalys Parrilla: Accused/charged with public assistance fraud totaling $18,123.78.
- Carolyn Ruise: Accused/charged with welfare fraud totaling $3,964.
- Karigan Burgos: Accused/charged with welfare fraud totaling $33,452.41.
- Shlaberte Saintlouis: Accused/charged with public assistance fraud totaling $9,855.
In addition, the Bureau of Public Assistance Fraud (DPAF) inspected 48 cases for fraud totaling $318,895. The DPAF also noted all the individuals in those cases had their SNAP benefits revoked for 12 months, 24 months, or permanently, depending on the persons violation history.
Ingoglia is running for a full term as CFO in November. Former Democratic Florida Senator Annette Taddeo, who announced her run for CFO earlier this month, is likely his chief competition for the position.
The primary is Aug. 18, with the general election is Nov. 3.
