Logs, invoices and computers were seized when Virginia State Police investigators served a search warrant on a local business suspected of defrauding a public assistance program.
Investigators searched Sterling Oil Company, on Cobbs Street in Lynchburg, last week looking for records and computer files relating to the Department of Social Services fuel assistance programs.
The search warrants filed last week in the Lynchburg Circuit Court Clerk’s office allege the company forged public records; obtained money or signature by false pretense; committed perjury; made false statements, representations, impersonations and fraudulent devices; and committed unauthorized use of food stamps, electronic benefit transfer cards and energy assis-tance.
A receptionist at Sterling Oil said on Thursday that the company has no comment.
Virginia State Police Spokesperson Deborah Cox declined to comment about the investigation.
The warrant, filed by Virginia State Police Special Agent Accountant W.W. Talbert, said the investigation began on April 4, 2008, after a former Sterling Oil employee requested an investiga-tion into the company.
“Investigations have indicated that Sterling Oil Company … were committing fraudulent acts pertaining to the State of Vir-ginia’s Energy Assistance Programs, to include fuel, crisis and cooling programs,” the warrant said.
After talking with former em-ployees and customers and in researching Department of Social Services records, investigators found evidence that client appli-cations had been copied or manipulated and that information had been changed, the warrant said.
“Client invoices appear to have altered dates or added dates to reflect appropriate dating to coincide with DSS requirements,” the warrant said.
“Invoice service fees, labor and other items have been added to invoices prior to billing to DSS, and contain little or no description of service provided in violation of the DSS Credit Authorization certification statements.”
The warrant did not indicate how much money may be involved in the suspected crimes.
“Invoices reflect much higher totals than do their neighboring competitive businesses,” the warrant said. “Energy Assistance customers pay higher prices per gallon than do regular paying customers. Fraudulent metered tickets have been prepared for billing. Invoices for window air conditioning units have been found to include installation amounts of $200 or higher when no installation has taken place.”
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