Mass. Welfare Fraud Could Result In Prosecution

A state audit that provoked outrage for revealing that millions of dollars in welfare benefits were going to people who had died or lived out of state could result in criminal investigations.

A spokeswoman for state Attorney General Martha Coakley said her office is "carefully reviewing" state Auditor Suzanne Bump's report to determine whether a fraud investigation should be initiated.

Bump told The Boston Globe that the investigatory arm of her office is also identifying cases for possible prosecution.

The audit released Tuesday was met with outrage by politicians and the public alike, angered by findings that found millions of dollars in waste and fraud.

State House Speaker Robert DeLeo told the Boston Herald he was "appalled" and suggested reviving efforts to put photos on welfare benefits cards.