Montana Woman Pleads Guilty to Food Stamp Fraud

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A Montana woman pleaded guilty to fraud after falsely reporting her household income on benefit applications.

Linsei Murphy appeared in Laramie County District Court on Thursday and admitted to receiving federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits under false claims.

Court documents state Murphy was charged earlier this year with seven counts of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program fraud and three counts of Medicaid fraud, with a total of $20,358.26 in overpayments.

A plea deal between the prosecution and Murphy's attorney, Ronald Pretty, agreed to dismiss the other nine charges in exchange for a guilty plea on one count of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program fraud and a restitution payment.

Murphy has already paid about $18,300 in restitution.

The plea deal recommends Murphy receive probation.