Mistrial in Disabled Woman’s Welfare Fraud Case

Despite the defendant’s confession, a federal jury deadlocked Wednesday in a fraud case against a disabled woman accused of cheating the government out of more than $17,000 in welfare payments.

Dessie Robinson, 55, who suffers from a heart ailment, diabetes and ulcers, admitted the fraud and apologized for her conduct during a brief appearance on the witness stand.

Nevertheless, the jury was unable to reach agreement, telling the court that it was hopelessly divided. The jury foreperson said the panel split 8 to 4 for conviction. U.S. District Judge Edward Rafeedie declared a mistrial and scheduled a new trial for Nov. 30.

Robinson was one of 21 people arrested during a controversial sweep in July aimed at individuals who said they hadn’t received their monthly Supplemental Security Income checks, but who allegedly cashed the original and the replacement checks they received.

The federal Supplemental Security Income program, popularly known as SSI, is designed to assist the blind, disabled and elderly poor.

Attorneys from the federal public defender’s office complained that the defendants should have received summonses to appear in court because they were charged with nonviolent misdemeanors.

U.S. Atty. Debra Yang said that “in some of these cases, we made a mistake and should not have proceeded as we did.”

The defendants were offered a chance to plead guilty to a single misdemeanor, provided that they volunteered to perform 500 hours of community service.

When Robinson declined, prosecutors obtained a new indictment, charging her with 24 felony fraud counts.

Robinson’s public defender, Reuven Cohen, sought to have the indictment dismissed on grounds of vindictive prosecution, but Rafeedie rejected his motion.