A woman running for tax collector in Scott Township was facing misdemeanor charges of welfare fraud, but those charges were later withdrawn.
Leann Balistieri, who also goes by the name Leann Monz, was charged with fraud, according to a state welfare fraud report. She was accused of defrauding the state of $1,965 stemming back to 2015.
The district attorney's office said Monday that Balistieri paid restitution so the charge was withdrawn.
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Balistieri described it as a "clerical error."
"That's how I was able to feed the children and it really helped us," she said. "I'm grateful for that to this day. Unfortunately, a clerical error on my behalf resulted in all this confusion."
Balistieri is one of 77 people statewide who were charged with welfare fraud in February. In March, another 67 people were charged. In Allegheny, Westmoreland and Fayette counties alone, $115,000 was taken over the course of those two months.
Under the name Monz, Balistieri is running against an incumbent in the tax collector’s race.
Cox Media Group
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