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WILKES-BARRE — Luzerne County prosecutors dismissed welfare fraud charges against Jennifer Yelen, 35, a school teacher in the Wilkes-Barre Area School District.
The state Office of Inspector General last month charged Yelen, of Plains Township, with a single count of false statements related to her household income while seeking public assistance.
According to the criminal complaint:
Yelen completed an application for public assistance in December 2015, reporting she was employed as a substitute teacher for the school district.
Yelen was provided medical assistance and supplemental nutrition assistance due to her income.
The state assistance officer in March received a wage report from the school district that allegedly showed Yelen became a full-time teacher and failed to report a lump sum payment.
The complaint alleged the lump sum payment Yelen received was above the federal poverty level guidelines for public assistance.
Prosecutors dismissed the charge during a preliminary hearing in Luzerne County Central Court on Thursday.