(CMR) A US state official reportedly faked multiple pregnancies and used at least one of those ruses to get paid maternity leave. Robin Folsom (43), former director of external affairs for the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, was indicted on three felony counts of making false statements. She was also charged with one count of identity fraud, also a felony.
Reports are that in October 2020, Folsom told human resources officials that she was pregnant, and then announced that she had given birth in May 2021. A man claiming to be the child’s father later emailed her workplace, stating that she needed several weeks of rest after the birth.
She was given seven weeks of paid leave from the agency. However, a co-worker reported seeing the lower portion of Folsom’s stomach “come away” from her body and shared with investigators a belief that Folsom wore a fake pregnancy stomach.
Pictures sent to employees of her baby were inconsistent with the baby appearing to have different skin tone, a report said.
Checks were made but no records were found of Folsom giving birth. The woman also reported the birth of a child in 2020 and in August 2021 again claimed to be pregnant
Folsom resigned in October 2021, shortly after being interviewed by state investigators.
“All state employees, and especially those that communicate with the media and general public on behalf on their agency, should be held to the highest standards of integrity and honesty,” State Inspector General Scott McAfee said in a statement.
“Fraud by state employees will not be tolerated,” Attorney General Chris Carr said. “By working with Georgia’s independent Inspector General, we were able to discover, investigate and put an end to this alleged deception. We will always stand up to protect taxpayer dollars, and we look forward to presenting our case in court.”
If convicted, Folsom faces up to 10 years in prison for identity fraud and up to five years in prison for each charge of making false statements.
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