Michigan Lottery Winner Charged For Collecting Food Stamps

Back in March, we told you about a Michigan woman who continued to collect food stamps and medical assistance from the state even though she had won $1 million dollars from the Michigan Lottery. Now, it looks like she could end up in prison.

Tuesday,  25-year-old Amanda Clayton from Lincoln Park was arraigned in 25th District Court on two felony fraud charges.

The state says that after winning the jackpot in September, Clayton collected over $5,500 in benefits before she was cut off in March. After her arraignment, she had no comments to reporters, but if you recall, she did try to explain herself to reporters last month when they questioned her outside her house, saying:

I thought they would cut me off, but since they didn't I thought maybe it was okay. I mean, I have no income and I have bills to pay.

The Michigan Department of Human Services says recipients have to notify the state of any change in their financial status.

Clayton took the $1 million in a lump sum payment of $735,000. After taxes,  that came out to just over $500,000.

There is now a state law requiring the lottery to notify the Department of Human Services about players who win more than $1,000.

During her arraignment on Tuesday, a district court judge set bond at $10,000 for Clayton, who was in police custody since Monday night. A welfare participant's failure to inform the state's Department of Human Services is a felony punishable by up to four years in prison. Clayton is due in court for a preliminary examination on May 1.