On July 16, 2010, I posted an article here concerning the so-called “list of 1300 illegal aliens” accused publicly of wrongfully receiving Medicaid and Medicare benefits. Leah D. Carson and Teresa Bassett, the creators and distributors of this list (to the press and public safety officers) have been charged, convicted, and sentences handed down. Carson was convicted of a misdemeanor and sentenced to 12 months of probation and $440.00 in fines. Bassett, who has now changed her name to London Grace Wellington, entered an Alford plea, has been sentenced to 36 months of probation and 250 hours of community service. (The Alford plea as entered is a plea of guilty that allows her to maintain her innocence but acknowledged prosecutors had enough evidence to convict her on two felony charges.) Both were employees of the Department of Workforce Services, the department entrusted with dispersing these benefits. Carson and Bassett have been terminated from their jobs. Bassett claims to have lost her retirement due to this incident, however, it is not clear if her retirement was stripped from her or if she has used it in the interim to cover her living and legal expenses. Carson, a mother of five children, has now been separated from her husband. While Carson expressed remorse at her actions, Bassett remained clearly defiant in front of Judge Hilder.
Governor Gary Herbert had promised, at the outset of this issue, a through and complete investigation, which in my opinion has been carried out. The question remains, did the punishment fit the crime? This list contained the names, address, and (in some cases) the social security numbers and birthdates of the “illegal aliens.” Consider that “The Utah Department of Workforce Services, from which the information on the list originated, has said most of the names on the list were people legally receiving benefits or the parents of U.S.-born children receiving benefits.” (SL Tribune, June 7, 2011) If you were the victim, would you feel justice had been served?
Don’t misunderstand me; I firmly believe that no one should receive benefits from our governments to which they are not legally entitled. I also believe no one, regardless of national origin, circumstances of birth, language, state of wedlock, sexual orientation, or any other reason, should live in fear of being erroneously “outed” by any person or group of people acting out of “principles” of vigilante justice. The Utah State Attorney General’s office has failed to use punishment of a crime as a tool to prevent further crimes of this nature from occurring.