Nadya Suleman is reportedly under investigation for welfare fraud. According to TMZ, “Octomom” collected food stamps even though she allegedly exceeded the welfare earning cap by nearly $80,000 in 2012.
Based on laws in California, where Suleman lives with her 14 children, the family is eligible for welfare if Suleman earns less than $119,000 in a calendar year. In April 2012, Suleman told NBC News that she reluctantly accepted $2,000 per month in food assistance. At the time, she hoped to become self-sufficient by summer.
“I feel ashamed, but who cares how I feel,” Suleman told Matt Lauer. “It’s 100 percent about my children.”
However, a source close to Suleman claimed she was taking advantage of welfare to pad her own pockets. The source told the L.A. County Dept. of Welfare Fraud Prevention and Investigation (WFP&I) that Suleman made nearly $200,000 during the law calendar year.
A law enforcement source confirmed to TMZ that Suleman is now under official investigation, which includes a thorough examination of her finances and interviews with people close to her. If the WFP&I determines Suleman has committed welfare fraud, she may be prosecuted and could face more than three years in prison.
This isn’t the first time Octomom has landed in hot water. She was previously accused of child neglect, but a subsequent investigation found her to be a fit guardian. She also filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2012, claiming she was $1 million in debt.
“I don’t think you can get farther, deeper down into the rock bottom than we are at this point,” she told Dr. Drew in May 2012.
Looks like she didn’t knock on wood after making that statement, because Suleman may have jinxed herself.
