14 Charged with Failure to Pay Child Support

Fourteen is the most current number of suspects charged with diverting money meant for Texas child support recipients into their own pockets.

Debra Jean Lopez worked for Affiliated Computer Services where she was able to obtain the information necessary to carry out the fraudulent scheme. However during her arraignment in federal court on Monday Lopez pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated identity theft and mail fraud. She does join thirteen others who have been accused of stealing money from the $18.2 million contract that their state has with ACS. The company's primary role was to give debit cards to those individuals who were owed child support payments.

Lopez, along with the other suspects, gave these debit cards to family and friends instead. At this time the government has uncovered at least $275,000 that was wrongly diverted and only time will tell if more will be discovered later on. The company, which was recently purchased by Xerox, has reimbursed the victims.

Are you in need of child support?  If so, now is the time to consult with a family law attorney.