Woman Admits Stealing Government Benefits

Save

Posted: 7:42 AM Oct 15, 2008
Last Updated: 7:42 AM Oct 15, 2008
Reporter: Associated Press
Email Address: news@

12 comments

A | A | A

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - A St. Albans woman has admitted cashing $45,000 in government benefits after the death of a relative.

Cynthia Lambert of St. Albans pleaded guilty Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Charleston to theft of public money.

Federal prosecutors say Lambert submitted a false affidavit in November 2003 claiming the recipient of the Defense Department benefits was still alive. The recipient died in August of that year.

The 48-year-old Lambert faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing has been set for Jan. 22.

Jennifer Garner Has Second Daughter

Third Man Charged in Mason County Murder

Washburn Baby Death Trial Begins

High Water Reported Around the Region, Some Roads Blocked

Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: jennifer on Nov 2, 2008 at 11:39 AM
my e-boyfriend stole my disablity checks and so far nothing, will he go to jail for cashing goverment checks or will he walk????

Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 16, 2008 at 12:46 PM
A man in huntington drug another man to death with his car and only got 2 years. How does that work?

Posted by: Concerned Citizen on Oct 16, 2008 at 09:08 AM
This woman broke the law, plain and simple. She should have to pay her debt to society but $250 Thou and 10 years? Over 10 years at the rate of $70,000 per year, it will cost the State $700,000 to keep her in prison. How do you compare that to the $45 Thou she stole? Although I can't agree with her methods, what does this Government expect when they have made it nearly impossible to survive financially in this country for the low to middle income folks? Then we see top government officials and Wall Street Tycoons break the law daily and all they get is a very light "slap on the wrist" and a "don't do that again" statement! All top officials have to learn to lead by example and the law SHOULD be MORE harsh on them then an average citizen. Law breakers should ALL pay there debt to society but let's make it reasonable for the crime committed and take into consideration the status of those that break the law!

Posted by: to Jack on Oct 16, 2008 at 08:11 AM
"she didn't have any money to start with or she wouldn't be stealing" suggests that those who don't have money are the ones that steal. That is not true. Have you ever thought that some people who have a lot have it because they stole it and those who do not have a lot do not have because they have enough morals not to steal? I don't have a lot and I wouldn't take a dime from my employer and I wouldn't think about cheating on my time. However, I see daily where those that have a lot are the ones that cheat on their time (sorry, that's stealing). People get use to certain life styles and in order to keep up with the Jones' end up stealing and making it look like they have a lot.

Posted by: WHAT A JOKE on Oct 15, 2008 at 05:45 PM
I KNOW A COUPLE THAT TOOK FROM SSI, LIVES IN A HOME NICER THAN MY OWN AND MY HUSBAND WORKS EVERYDAY AT A VERY HIGH PAYING JOB. THEY LIED, SAYING THEY DIDN'T LIVE TOGETHER, THEY ARE LIERS, ALWAYS HAVE BEEN AND DIDN'T GET IN TROUBLE. THEY SHOULD HAVE TO PAY BACK EVERY DIME, IF THAT MEANS THEY HAVE TO SELL THE HOUSE WITH IN GROUND POOL AND THE MANY CARS THEY OWN AND DRIVE. NOT ONLY DID THEY STEAL FROM THE GOVERNMENT, THEY STOLED FROM EVERY WORKING FAMILY IN THE STATE OF WV. WHAT A SHAME THEY GOT OFF AND THIS LADY MAY DO TIME. WHATS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THEM????

Posted by: GARY on Oct 15, 2008 at 05:31 PM
YEH RIGHT,LIKE SHE CAN PAY 250,000 PABLO WHAT ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT STEALING FROM US,,LIKE IT OR NOT ,,I SAY SHE DID A GOOD JOB,OTHER THAN GETTING CAUGHT

Posted by: are u kidding? on Oct 15, 2008 at 05:21 PM
why should some people go to jail and others get off scott free over the same crimes? I know a couple that still have a big house, nice cars and a pool, they did the same thing as this woman, they didn't do time or give up anything. Maybe this lady should contact them and find out who they used as a lawyer.

Posted by: Me on Oct 15, 2008 at 04:14 PM
I don't even think a drug dealer or drunk driver gets that much!

Posted by: Jack on Oct 15, 2008 at 01:23 PM
10 years in prison? $250,00 fine? What a joke!!! She didnt have any money to start with or she wouldnt be stealing. How are these thugs that are fined going to pay? Go figure. ATTN. Let them keep the ten years in prison.

Posted by: Disgusted on Oct 15, 2008 at 10:20 AM
This is the most dispicable thing I have ever heard--even though I have seen shows on TV that dipict the same kind of thing. How could someone do this? To me it's disrespectful of the corpse also. She should be charged to the fullest extent. Just disgusting.

Posted by: mad on Oct 15, 2008 at 09:53 AM
why make her serve time Brenda and Ray Jude scam the Government and didn't serve a day so why should anyone else?

Posted by: Pablo on Oct 15, 2008 at 08:21 AM
This is nothing but stealing, which is wrong. Everyone knows this. Give her the 10 years (no parole or probation) and fine her the $250,000. Then make her pay for her room and board in prison. We taxpayers work hard for our money. We understand it takes taxes to run our county, state, and country. Why should the taxpayers take care of her in prison? She's the one that put herself there, so let her pay for her keep.

Go to our mobile site | Make this your homepage (IE)

UPDATE: Cabell Huntington Hospital Lays Off 40
137 Comments
UPDATE: Men Arrested Trying to Buy 600 pounds of Marijuana
60 Comments
Search for Baby's Remains Extends to Ashland
48 Comments
Semi Accident Closes Huntington Viaduct
42 Comments
UPDATE: Cause Released in Chesapeake Apartment Building Fire
28 Comments
Couple Charged in Child's Death Linked to Methadone OD
25 Comments

PHONE IN YOUR YELLS TO: 1-866-616-5354

The Yell: Comments for the Week of 1/4

Posted By: Ari: Cheers to Rob-I feel ya!
Posted By: joe: I have worked for companies all over this nation and have had to take drug tests. Why should teachers be exempt from this practice? It is now common to be randomly tested(and I have been) so what makes a teacher any different than a steel worker. I can say proudly that I passed but I have seen those who didn't. They chose to use drugs and lost their jobs I didn't.
Posted By: Katy: As a teacher, I have no problem being randomly drug tested...as long as you agree to drug test the parents who enter the doors of my school as well. Most teachers deal with students who are exposed to/use more drugs and alcohol than any of the teachers. If these students or parents who are using drugs (and are not drug tested) enter our schools, the safety of the teachers and students are at risk. Since children spend more time with them, let's randomly drug test PARENTS, too!!!
Posted By: stephen: Why the heavy emphasis ont he damage to property and life Israel is doing . Where was the media uproar for years that Hamas was rocketing Israel irespective of innocent israelis.. Hamas is actualykilling their own citizens by firing rockets from UN schools and residents. Why does UN allow Hamas to use facilities for attacking Israel, then complain when Israel responds to protect their territory and citizens. Israel targets military targets, respons to from whence rockets or gun fire comes. What would we fire at if Huntington was attacked?Why does the media not put bla,e where balame belongs, and give moral support to the aggreived.What would America do if attacked? to whom would we listen? Russia, Saudi Arabia,Iran?.Media get REAL! Who has given Hamas and the Palestinians millions with which they could buy weapons---American taxpayers money!
Posted By: Robert: Although I feel for the employees that lost their positions at Cabell Huntington Hospital, at least more nurses were hired. I recently had a relative in the cardiac unit at Kings Daughters, in Ashland, and I was told that the nursing staff had been cut back and that no overtime was being given. This seems to be a drastic cut in patient care for a facility that spends thousands advertising that they are in the top 5% of cardiac hospitals in the country. I would be willing to wager that the Cleveland Clinic has not cut hours of those giving patient care.
Posted By: Boyd: If the state's budget is doing so well, why don't we use some of this money to help towns and cities in the state who are in trouble with their budget, or will this just become another pay raise for politicians?
Posted By: Rob: Why does everyone have to be so into using the term "racist" and have that kind of attitude. I know what my heritage is and who my ancestors were but you want to know what I consider myself? I AM AN AMERICAN! I was born and raised in this country and that's how I feel it should be. Born here, raised here.....then by God you are an American. Not an African American, not an Asian American etc. etc. You are an AMERICAN!
Posted By: Chris: To Ex-Officer: I agree with you 100% about the pay of police dept and the drug testing. I was formerly involved with the BCPD and had multiple ride alongs with the BCSO. I am probably one of their biggest critics due to having watch some of the bad side of the department for a long time. I wish that I could tell everything that I have seen officers do,which would put most of them behind bars or they'll lose their sheild, But retalliation is bad in our area. To the cops that do their job and do it with the best intentions, I proud of you and don't mean any disrespect. To the ones who I personally watch being more currupt then the "badguys" here,your day will be coming.
Posted By: Pablo: Teachers aren't the only ones underpaid. Law enforcement officers are underpaid also. And I'd like to speak about them. For example, I'm sure any parent would sacrifice their live for thier children. And several may give thier live to save their spouse. A few individuals may even do it for a close friend. But, I only know of 3 types of beings who will sacrifice thier lives for complete strangers; indeed even for people who hate them. The first would be our men and women in our armed forces. The second would be our law enforcement officers. And of course, third would be our Savior, Jesus Christ. Others are killed in the line of their employment, but not in order to save a complete stranger. Everytime a cop puts on his/her uniform, they can be a target for anyone upset about something. Even though it doesn't involve the cop personally, that very cop will give his life to save yours when a problem arises. We need to give our cops not only a wage, but a living wage and a great big THANKS.
Posted By: Craig: If what I am hearing is correct that Kanawha County teachers accepted a pay raise in return for submitting to drug testing, and then sued successfully so they do not have to be subject to testing, then why shouldn't we the taxpayers demand they return the raise?
Posted By: teresa: racist lmao i am one cherokee,german,irish,german,and who knows what else TIRED of hearing of racist comments u are either GOOD OR BAD k no skin color needed just evil or NOT
Posted By: Ex-Officer: I agree with Robert 100% I worked in law enforcement and loved the job but try to rise a family on less than 10.00 an hour (out of that pay for your own duty gear and gun). I believe that all public safety workers should be drug tested but i also believe that they should be paid for the job that they do. Not many people understand what a public safty worker goes through. Would you put your life on the line for this kind of pay? Remember the saying that you get what you pay for. I see this in several new officers in my area. Don't get me wrong there are still very good officers in law enforcement. Something really needs to be done about the low pay for these jobs.
Posted By: Garland: What's the difference between teachers and other workers(coal mineers, bus drivers, state employees,etc.)? Teachers aren't any better are they?
Posted By: : This is not a comment, but I would like comments on it please. What do you think of Poca High School? Racist or not?
Posted By: Robert: We the people, through our own self centeredness and apathy, have allowed our teachers and police officials to be some of the most underpaid people in the United States. We are trusting our childrens education and our public safety to the very people that are some of the most underpaid profesions in the U.S.. If I could change this, I would. However, I do believe that these people should be randomly drug tested. I work in the construction industry and I have no problem being drug tested. I have nothing to hide. I also believe that any person who is intrusted with the safety of others should have nothing to hide. This includes plitical officials up to and including the president.

Click Here to Read Story and Post Comments

+ Ashland, KY
+ Athens, OH
+ Beckley, WV
+ Charleston, WV
+ Clarksburg, WV
+ Clay, WV
+ Gallipolis, OH
+ Huntington, WV
+ Ironton, OH
+ Logan, WV
+ Morgantown, WV

+ Paintsville, KY
+ Parkersburg, WV
+ Pikeville, KY
+ Pomeroy, OH
+ Portsmouth,OH
+ Ripley, WV
+ Spencer, WV
+ Sutton, WV
+ Wayne, WV
+ Wheeling, WV
+ Williamson, WV

	SOMC Very good things are happening here
	Prudential Bunch Since 1959 unequaled performance
	Moms4Moms By moms, for moms
	WV Lottery Nightly drawings and numbers
	WVA Electric Visit our unique lighting lab
	Big Sandy For all your furniture and appliance needs
	Budget Blinds The best in custom window coverings
	Smackdown Live Watch & Win: Win 2 tickets to Smackdown Live
	Healthy Tri-State Live a healthier lifestyle in 2009

WSAZ Mobile