CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A former Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services supervisor pleaded not guilty to fraud charges in federal court on Wednesday.
Paula Thomas requested a jury trial.
Thomas is facing federal charges, accused of using clients’ information to fill out fake requests and embezzle thousands of dollars.
Channel 9 first obtained the federal indictment in September.
The documents say Thomas oversaw approval of requests for rent and utility funds, but between 2012 and 2013 she “created false and fraudulent requests” by unlawfully using current and former DSS clients’ “names, Social Security numbers and dates of birth.”
Court documents say the requests then went to the nonprofit Crisis Assistance Ministry, which wrote the checks.
Prosecutors said Thomas used that money to funnel thousands to herself and others.
Mecklenburg County commissioners discussed the case in closed session prior to Tuesday night’s meeting.
Due to confidentiality rules, specifics can’t be shared, but Commissioner Matthew Ridenhour told Channel 9 changes are coming.
“The county has implemented some controls to make sure this can't happen again,” Ridenhour said.
Ridenhour said there is now an ongoing review of the county’s policies to see what needs to be adjusted.
He said the most important thing is for trust to be rebuilt between DSS and the public.
“This is a one-off situation and this is certainly not the norm,” Ridenhour said.
Thomas has hired attorney Roderick Davis. Davis' law firm did not return a request for comment.
If convicted, she faces up to 32 years in prison.
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