Monthly Staff Meeting October 2025

VIC Laredo Monthly Staff Meeting

"Behind the Badge: Exploring The World of ISS"

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Do you know how to submit an ISS Referral?

BPI VS ISS

Integrity Support Services (ISS) reviews and analyze cases to enhance the integrity and accuracy of benefits and servicesprovided to Texans.

Benefits Program Integrity (BPI) investigate allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse by clients receiving benefits from HHS programs, including Medicaid, CHIP, SNAP, TANF and MEPD. Works as team with OIG and ISS.

Building an EBT Case

"From Phone Chatter to Legal Matter"

The Criminal Justice Process

Case Process & Resolution • Marathon, not a sprint: Cases often take 6 months to 2+ years to resolve. Possible resolutions: o Dismissal (restitution paid, conditions fulfilled) o Pre-trial diversion programs o Plea bargains (probation, jail/prison) o Open pleas (judge determines punishment) o Trials (jury trial or bench trial with judge)

Building an EBT Case

• Referral sources for Dallas DA’s Office: o Texas Health & Human Services investigators o Welfare fraud referrals o Theft referrals

Examples of Welfare/Theft Fraud

-Lying about household composition (spouse, children) -Lying about income/spouse’s income -Hidden bank accounts -Receiving benefits from another state -Prior permanent disqualification

Types of Evidence in Theft Cases

• Social media posts • Bank records • Birth records • DCAD records / Lease agreements • TWC records • School records • DMV records • Statements from neighbors

+ info

Rio Grande Valley, TX

Ennis, TX

Dallas, TX

Tik Tok Influencer

Seafood Company

Kohl's Store

• Found client traveling to Florida, Cancun, Disney while on benefits.
• Did not report money coming from Tik Tok
• Used 50k in benefits
• Trial still ongoing
• Putting the client on an IPV up to 10 years.

Cap of $200 per month; fraud inflated benefits to $700/month.

• 1,123 transactions → $165,236.28 loss.
• Filed cases against employee + recipients..
• Owner allowed recipients to buy on credit.
• Used 190 EBT cards to restock his store.

• Store manager investigated employee theft.
• Discovered:
• $1,198,200 pesos (~$23,938 USD) hidden in locker.
• Employee claimed she didn’t trust Mexican banks.

• Most common = theft of resources for profit/personal gain.
• No minimum dollar amount required.
• If there’s an ongoing relationship: contact APS/CPS + law enforcement.
• If no relationship: direct criminal prosecution possible.
• Charge: Third degree felony.

Other Financial/Fraud Offenses

• Criminal codes (TPC):
• Exploitation of child/elder/disabled (32.53)
• Theft (31.03)
• Forgery (32.21)
• Misapplication of fiduciary property (32.45)
• Fraudulent use/possession of ID info (32.51)
• Financial abuse of elderly (32.55)
• Health care fraud (35A.02)

Exploitation of Vulnerable Individuals

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere"

- Martin Luther King Jr.

Theft Inictments & Dispositions

• Degree of felony depends on theft amount.• Disposition options:o Payment plans (prosecutor’s discretion): 25–30% upfront Monthly payments for 24 months Must sign disqualification agreement If fully paid in 24 months → Class C misdemeanor with fine If failed → case referred for indictmento Probation with restitutiono Jailo Trial • All require defendant to sign disqualification document.

Criminal Charges

• Misdemeanor: o Up to 2 years probation o Up to 6 months or 1 year in county jail • Felony levels: o State jail felony: 180 days – 2 years in state jail o Third degree: 2 – 10 years in prison o Second degree: 2 – 20 years in prison o First degree: 5 – 99 years or life in prison • All felony cases must be presented to a grand jury before indictment.