Shakopee woman fraudulently collected benefits in prison: Charges

SHAKOPEE, Minn. (FOX 9) - A woman serving time in Shakopee Women’s Prison is now facing additional charges after an investigation found she had been fraudulently collecting more than $60,000 in public benefits while incarcerated.

Public benefits theft

What we know: The Ramsey County Attorney’s Office has charged Pamela Ann Williams, 56, of Shakopee, with theft (wrongfully obtained public assistance) and theft by swindle as part of a scheme that collected public benefits from several departments.

Fraud investigation

Dig deeper: In August 2024, a fraud prevention program within the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) reported to the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office (RCAO) that Williams continued to be listed as a recipient of care from a Personal Care Assistant (PCA), despite being in prison since January of that year.

DHS reported that payments to the PCA – who had moved to Chicago two years earlier – were ultimately transferred back to Williams, resulting in more than $10,000 in her prison financial account.

The RCAO Fraud Unit found that Williams also maintained an open account for public assistance and continued to receive benefits while incarcerated, receiving food benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), along with General Assistance (GA) in the form of cash benefits and Medical Assistance (MA).

Williams continued to receive the SNAP and GA benefits on an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card that could be withdrawn while in prison.

During its investigation, the RCAO Fraud Unit reviewed surveillance footage that showed Williams using the card to withdraw the funds.

Investigators believe another inmate named Kelly was also part of the scheme – helping to withdraw funds and falsify time sheets for the PCA benefits.

Phone calls between Williams and Kelly were recorded due to Williams’ incarceration and captured numerous conversations acknowledging the public assistance fraud, investigators say.

Williams has numerous prior felony convictions for assault, damage to property and violation of a no contact order.

Fraud totals

By the numbers: The RCAO Fraud Unit calculated the total amount of benefits that Williams collected while in prison, including $59,269.56 in MA benefits, $2,619 in SNAP benefits and $1,827 in GA benefits.