Duluth Woman Gets Probation For Welfare Fraud

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) -- A Duluth woman accused of wrongfully obtaining welfare benefits has been sentenced to three years probation.

Forty-three-year-old Tari Lauer was also ordered Friday to pay back nearly $20,000 in public assistance she wrongfully received.

She and her now-ex husband, James Lauer, were accused of receiving cash, food support, medical assistance and child care assistance totaling almost $20,000 from October 2006 to July 2008 while failing to report about $400,000 in income and assets.

Court records say Tari Lauer blamed her drug addiction and her husband. They bought a Cadillac Escalade and a Nissan Titan pickup while getting the assistance.

James Lauer is also charged with five welfare fraud crimes. The Duluth News Tribune reports that he's scheduled to be in St. Louis County District Court next month.

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