DHS Trainee Accused Of Stealing Client Information

A trainee at DHS is accused of using the agency to rip people off and steal their identities for her own gain.

According to court documents, 29-year-old Jeanie Fairley used her cell phone camera to take photos of personal information in DHS files.

She then used that information to open cell phone accounts.

True-Wireless, on N.W. 23rd, provides subsidized cell phone coverage to people on government assistance.

According to their website, the company is required to charge just a dollar per month for the plan. Fairley allegedly took advantage of the service by opening multiple accounts.

"She was not a DHS employee," said DHS Spokesperson, Mark Beutler. "She was not receiving a salary. She was receiving training through DHS."

Court documents reveal Fairley intentionally took pictures with her cell phone of confidential client information as she worked in a DHS mailroom.

"This particular person was a TANF client, and they were actually involved in the work incentive program," Beutler said.

The program is designed to assist in employing TANF (temporary assistance for needy families) participants into entry level positions.

But, workers tell investigators they saw Fairley taking pictures of client case files.

From there, she's accused of creating at least three cell phone accounts through True-Wireless.

"The DHS office of inspector general thoroughly investigated. We turned all of our findings over to the district attorney's office," said Beutler. "They in turn pressed charges against this individual."

Fairly was part of the state's work incentive program for less than a month. She's been charged with three counts of identity theft.

Right now, DHS officials don't believe anyone else's personal information has been compromised.