2 Delco DPW caseworkers charged with theft of funds

State officials have arrested two caseworkers from the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare's Darby Borough office and charged them with stealing nearly $300,000 in public assistance funds in separate schemes.

The two were identified as Cynthia A. Lewis, 47, of Oxford Street, Lansdowne, and Ivan Jones, 43, of the 1400 block of South Etting Street, said Attorney General Linda Kelly.

According to a grand jury presentment, Lewis created six false public-assistance accounts and routed $254,000 to herself between 2007 and 2011.

She used state-issued electronic cards to withdraw funds, the grand jury alleged, and spent the money on cruises and gambling in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Jones used the names and personal information of existing welfare clients to open new cases and authorize payments. He then sent electronic cards to himself at various locations in Delaware County and made illegal withdrawals, the grand jury said.

Jones also arranged with two clients to receive illegal welfare payments if they agreed to split the take with him. Between 2007 and 2011, Jones allegedly stole $39,000, the grand jury said.

Both have been charged with theft and related offenses. They have been released on their own recognizance for an Aug. 23 arraignment in Delaware County Court.

Kelly said the investigation is ongoing and she expects more arrests.