UNIONTOWN, Pa. — A Uniontown City Council member is facing criminal charges after investigators accused him of collecting nearly $7,000 in public assistance while failing to report more than $166,000 in employment income.
Trace Thomas, 34, was arraigned Thursday on one count of fraudulently obtaining benefits.
According to the criminal complaint, Thomas was hired by Pittsburgh-based Senior Life in September 2023. Over the next two years, he allegedly earned more than $166,000 in wages while continuing to report himself as unemployed on eight separate applications for public assistance.
Investigators with the Pennsylvania Office of Inspector General allege Thomas also failed to disclose his employment and income during phone interviews with the county assistance office.
The complaint says that more than a year after starting the job, Thomas sent a letter to the county in September 2024 stating he was unemployed and looking for work.
Investigators allege Thomas received $5,705 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and another $1,000 through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), for a total of $6,705.
Fayette County District Attorney Mike Aubele said his office was contacted by the state Office of Inspector General about the case.
“We have a lot of programs available to low-income families, unemployment. Here we have an individual who was clearly making enough money and clearly employed when he said he wasn’t and gaining these benefits for disadvantaged people, which hurts everybody,” said Aubele.
Aubele said his office will pursue benefit fraud regardless of who is accused.
“It doesn’t matter who you are, we are going to file charges if you lie and commit fraud to obtain benefits you’re not entitled to.”
Uniontown Solicitor Tim Witt told Channel 11 the city was just made aware of the charge and is diligently reviewing it.
Witt said the charge does not relate to the city and does not require any action by City Council or the city at this time.
“In the interim, individuals are entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven otherwise,” Witt said. “The city will monitor this case and will take action if and when it’s appropriate.”
Thomas was released after posting a $20,000 self-surety bond. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for December 10.
A judge initially assigned to the case recused himself Thursday after it was learned Thomas had run against him in a 2021 magisterial district judge primary. The case was reassigned to Judge Ronald Haggerty.
Thomas has not been convicted of the charge.
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