NewsChannel5.com | Nashville News, Weather & SportsDHS Employee Charged With Food Stamp Fraud

DHS Employee Charged With Food Stamp Fraud

by Chris Cannon

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Metro Police arrested Felisa Trotter this week after a grand jury handed down a six count indictment against her.  The 13-year Department of Human Services employee is accused stealing food stamps.

"The indictment alleges she and her husband set up a fraudulent case and used that case to fraudulently obtaining food stamp benefits," according to Alan Hall of the Tennessee Inspector General's office.

According to the indictment, Trotter and her husband Derrick illegally pocketed food stamps from November 1, 2008 through July 3, 2010.  The Inspector General said the amount stolen was in excess of $6,000.

The theft was detected during a computer analysis of food stamp cases.

Trotter worked in the appeals and hearings division at DHS for the last six years.

"She didn't issue benefits or control the issuance of benefits," Hall said.

Still, Hall thinks Trotter did have inside knowledge of how Tennessee's food stamp system worked.

"I think she used her position here at the Department of Human Services to set up the case in such a manner so as it would not be found and that's why we think this case is so egregious," Hall added.

Three of the counts Trotter faces deal with official misconduct by a state employee.

Because of state civil service mandates, Trotter is currently on paid administrative leave, but her termination has been recommended.

Police have yet to arrest Derrick Trotter because they cannot locate him.

Email: ccannon@newschannel5.com