Crime & Safety
Inver Grove Heights Woman Charged with Wrongfully Obtaining Assistance
Lamesha Shenea Cogshell faces a felony charge in the case.
An Inver Grove Heights woman has been charged with theft after authorities say she lied on state economic assistance reports submitted to the state.
Lamesha Shenea Cogshell, 26, faces a felony charge of wrongfully obtaining public assistance from the state’s Diversionary Work Program (DWP), a four-month program that helps low-income Minnesota families find jobs. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Cogshell also is charged with wrongfully obtaining food support money, a misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of a year in jail and a $3,000 fine.
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According to the criminal complaint, Cogshell was receiving economic assistance from Dakota County, and was required to report financial and household composition information.
On forms for November and December 2008, Cogshell reported no earned income. However, the county learned that she had worked and earned wages during that time, and as a result she received a food support overpayment of $577 and a DWP overpayment of $1,196.
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