Vicki Lynn Hanson, 58, of Austin was charged on Thursday with felony wrongfully obtaining assistance-theft by false statements, concealment on Thursday in Mower County District Court.

According to the court complaint, a Mower County detective interviewed Hanson on Feb. 28 regarding a welfare fraud referral from Mower County Human Services. The referral questioned Hanson’s household income, alleging she had failed to report spousal maintenance as income since 2014, resulting in Hanson being eligible for federal medical assistance.

The detective explained the situation to Hanson, who acknowledged that she resided in Mower County with her ex-husband, two adult relatives and an infant. The complaint states Hanson said she had been divorced since 2014 and her ex-husband had been ordered to pay spousal maintenance in the sum of $714 per month. She believed the payments began in October 2014 and that she had been paid in cash each month until December 2017. She also indicated her ex-husband sometimes paid various bills in lieu of giving her cash.

Hanson said she was unaware she had to report spousal maintenance as income. The detective provided her with a copy of her most recent health care renewal application, which Hanson said had been filled out by a relative because she had poor handwriting. The detective showed Hanson the paragraph that stated spousal support was considered income. Hanson said her relative did not read that paragraph to her.

The detective advised that it appeared to be fraud, to which Hanson replied, “If you’re going to charge me, then charge me.”

On March 14, the detective received the estimate of medical benefit overpayments, in the sum of $6,308.91, made to Hanson due to the omission of spousal maintenance during the period of Dec. 1, 2014, through Dec. 31, 2017.

The detective attempted to speak to Hanson’s ex-husband and the relative who filled out the application form, but both refused to speak to him.

A review of Hanson’s criminal history shows prior convictions for theft-take/use/transfer movable property, depriving custody/parental rights, and assault on a peace officer.

Hanson will appear in court again on July 8.