Woman sentenced for defrauding Wisconsin Shares program

MADISON -- A Milwaukee woman was sentenced to three years probation Thursday for defrauding the Wisconsin Shares program. As a condition, Beatrice Johnson was ordered to serve six months in jail and pay restitution in the amount of $13,000. Johnson was found guilty of Theft by Fraud ($2500-$5000).

At trial, the State alleged between July 2008 and August 2009, Johnson utilized her business known as Bee’s Daycare to fraudulently obtain money from the State by billing for children who did not attend the center as well as billing for care on days the center was not open.  During nine weeks in the summer of 2009, Johnson billed the state for more hours of care for children than she could have provided under the terms of her license.

The investigation began in October of 2009 as part of the Wisconsin Child Care Anti-Fraud Task Force.

The Wisconsin Shares program provides reimbursement to child care providers who care for the children of custodial parents who are participating in the Wisconsin Works or W-2 Program.