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Wis. Woman Accused Of Welfare Fraud In Minn.

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) -- A woman is accused of fraudulently obtaining welfare benefits from Minnesota while living in Wisconsin.

Prosecutors in St. Louis County say 33-year-old Tessa Cherese Weatherspoon received more than $17,000 in welfare benefits from the Minnesota Family Investment Program while living in Superior, Wis.

A criminal complaint says Weatherspoon signed a lease for an apartment in Superior in November 2009. It says she signed a form to re-certify her welfare benefits in January 2010 and listed her residence as the Safe Haven Shelter in Duluth.

The Duluth News Tribune says Weatherspoon told an investigator she didn't want to go through the hassle of applying for benefits in Wisconsin.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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