Police say western Pa. man listed his dog as a dependent in reduced price school lunch scam

Police: Man listed dog as dependent in lunch scam

PITTSBURGH — State police said the former manager of a western Pennsylvania school district’s cafeteria service listed his dog as a dependent so he could get discounted school lunches for his children.

Police said they’ve filed theft charges against 36-year-old Gabriel Paulick by summons on Thursday. Paulick, who lives in New Eagle, did not answer his home telephone.

Paulick worked for Nutrition Inc. when he managed the Ringgold School District cafeteria system. Police said he not only got reduced price lunches worth more than $1,700 for his children, he also helped district employees fudge their applications to get more than $9,000 worth of free or reduced price lunches.

District officials discovered the problem last year and turned it over to the Washington County DA and police to investigate.