Trooper Assigned To Montville Barracks Part Of Irene Food Scam Investigation

As the state continues to expand its investigation into allegations that government workers wrongly applied for and received state food aid in the wake of Tropical Storm Irene, the Hartford Courant reports that one of the four troopers accused is from Groton.

Noel Jimenez worked an overtime shift at a state Department of Social Services satellite office in Norwich in September, the Courant reported. The newspaper said that Jimenez, assigned to Troop E in Montville, is a 13-year veteran of the department who earns more than $124,000 annually.

Last week, Gov. Dannel Malloy announced an investigation into possible wrongdoing by state workers who applied for help in the wake of Irene.

Malloy said there were multiple incidents of possible fraud against the state by individuals, including state employees, who received federal benefits from the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) after Tropical Storm Irene.

“The fact that some of this potential fraud may have been perpetrated by state employees makes this situation that much more offensive.  One of the fundamental responsibilities of government is to ensure proper and honest conduct by its own employees.  Unfortunately, we are finding examples of conduct that, if fully substantiated, could result in dismissal or even prosecution," he said.