Lethbridge mom accused of $90,000 social services fraud

A southern Alberta mother was charged after Lethbridge investigators uncovered a trail of falsified and forged documents used to defraud several social services agencies of more than $90,000.

The Lethbridge Regional Police Service’s economic crimes unit launched an investigation after receiving a tip in October about a suspicious financial support claim received by a provincial social agency, said Sgt. Christy Woods.

Investigators determined numerous fraudulent claims had been made to various social agencies to obtain financial and medical assistance over several years.

Woods said in some cases, the Enchant woman — who was receiving legitimate support from social agencies — would allegedly fail to report funding from other sources in the documents she submitted.

In other cases, the woman allegedly exaggerated or made additions to the diagnosis of her disability on forms.

“She altered documents

We want to make sure our government funds are used appropriately SGT. CHRISTY WOODS

to get funding that wouldn’t have been approved otherwise,” Woods said.

Police said it’s believed the woman bilked approximately $91,315 from Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped, Family Support for Children with Disabilities and the Alberta Works Income Support Program.

“I truly believe she believes this was what was required for her and her family,” said Woods, who called it a “sensitive and complex” case.

“But it’s such an exaggerated amount of funds .... We want to make sure our government funds are used appropriately.”

Woods declined to comment on the amount of funding the woman was actually entitled to, citing confidentiality.

On Tuesday, officers executed a search warrant at the woman’s home in Enchant, a hamlet northeast of Lethbridge, and arrested her without incident.

Judith Louise Lyczewski, 52, was charged with three counts of fraud over $5,000 and 13 counts of uttering a forged document.

She was released from custody with several conditions, including providing police with a copy of any application to a social services agency or provincial government body before submission.

She is scheduled to appear in court Thursday.