171 state residents accused in storm aid fraud

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut officials say they've given prosecutors the names of 171 state residents who may have fraudulently received federal aid when additional food stamp benefits were made available after Tropical Storm Irene last August.

Department of Social Services officials said Thursday that they referred the names to the chief state's attorney's office for potential investigation into fraud involving the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Officials say the residents weren't eligible for the aid.

The 171 people are not state employees. State officials have said more than 1,000 state employees were among the 24,000 people who received aid of up to $1,200, and 685 of the state employees have been cleared of wrongdoing.

A lawyer for state workers says he believes more than 150 state employees have been fired for alleged fraud.