Uniontown council member charged with fraud
A Uniontown City Council member faces criminal charges after being accused of receiving almost $7,000 in state food and heating benefits while not reporting income over a nearly two-year period.
Trace Thomas, 34, was arraigned before Judge Jason Cox Thursday morning on a count of fraudulently obtaining benefits.
The Pennsylvania State Office of Inspector General alleges Thomas received $5,705 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funding and another $1,000 through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance heating program after being hired by Senior Life, a Pittsburgh-based health care company, in September 2023.
Over the next two years, Thomas was paid more than $166,000 in wages while continuing to report himself as unemployed on eight applications for funds as late as August 2025, according to his criminal complaint.
Along with his applications, Thomas also had to complete phone interviews with the county assistance office for SNAP benefits, during which he did not report employment or income, the complaint alleges.
More than a year after receiving his first pay from Senior Life, Thomas sent a letter to the county assistance office in September 2024 stating “that he was unemployed and looking for a job,” court paperwork stated.
Thomas was elected to a four-year term on Uniontown City Council in 2023.
In a statement Thursday, Uniontown Solicitor Tim Witt said the city is aware of the charges and diligently reviewing them.
“The charge does not relate to the City and does not require any action by City Council or the City at this time,” he said. “In the interim, however, the City notes that individuals are entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven otherwise. The City will monitor this case and will take action if or when it is appropriate.”
Judge Jason Cox set Thomas’ bond at $20,000 during his arraignment Thursday. Thomas posted a self-surety bond that morning.
Cox recused himself from the case later Thursday. Thomas ran unsuccessfully against Cox in a magistrate judge primary in 2021.
The case was reassigned to Judge Ronald Haggerty.
Thomas’ preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 10.