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A Pennsylvania welfare supervisor allegedly traded stolen EBT cards for crack cocaine while siphoning more than $20,000 in food stamp benefits, prosecutors said Monday.
Sheila McDonald, 46, of Pittsburgh, worked at the Lehigh County Assistance Office in Allentown, where she was responsible for safeguarding EBT cards.
Prosecutors accuse her of taking 48 of the cards and carrying out more than 270 unauthorized transactions that drained $20,558.61 in benefits.
Four unauthorized transactions on an EBT card that never reached its intended recipient triggered an investigation in November of last year, according to Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan and Pennsylvania State Inspector General Michelle Henry.
McDonald had been employed at the office since January 2024, serving as a clerical supervisor and EBT coordinator, authorities said.
Along with access to the benefit cards, McDonald could view recipients’ birth dates and Social Security numbers, prosecutors said.
On Nov. 7, 2025, McDonald allegedly activated one of the missing cards by phone, providing the intended recipient’s birth date and the final four digits of their Social Security number, investigators said.
Investigators also linked a phone number associated with McDonald to the activation of the missing card and similar activity involving other EBT accounts, prosecutors said.
Authorities allege that security video obtained Nov. 19 showed McDonald using the EBT card to withdraw $20 in cash and pay for purchases at two stores — a grocery and a convenience shop.
An unidentified man told investigators he repeatedly received EBT cards and their PINs from McDonald as payment for crack cocaine, authorities said.
He suspected McDonald had gotten the cards through her work at the welfare office, authorities said.
To prevent further losses, state officials replaced EBT cards belonging to affected households. McDonald was also suspended and barred from accessing Department of Human Services systems, authorities said.
She was charged with six felonies, including access device fraud, receiving stolen property, two theft offenses and two related conspiracy counts.
According to Lehigh Daily, a criminal complaint was filed against McDonald on Oct. 2 before Magisterial District Judge Michael D’Amore.
The Post has sought comment from the Lehigh County Public Defender’s Office, which court records reportedly identify as McDonald’s defense counsel.
McDonald was awaiting arraignment after being taken into custody, authorities said Monday. A date for her preliminary hearing had not been listed, according to Lehigh Daily.