Social worker charged with fraud A Detroit social worker was charged with fraud for allegedly lying about her income to receive about $18,000 in benefits, which she spent lavishly, police say. DETROIT, March 8 (UPI) -- A Detroit social worker was charged with fraud for allegedly lying about her income to receive about $18,000 in benefits, which she spent lavishly, police say. Nellie Jenkins-Kendrick, 47, a social worker for the Human Services Department, allegedly used tax dollars to buy furniture, a car, home repairs and appliances as well as sending her daughter to summer camp, the Detroit Free Press reported. News of her arrest comes less than a week after state and federal agencies announced they would investigate the misuse of about $3 million by the Human Services Department, which has a history of mismanagement. Jenkins-Kendrick could face up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. In a series on the department's mismanagement, the Free Press found evidence that funds were misallocated to buy office furniture, high-end appliances and excessive salaries.