I have been reading about the welfare cheats in Lewiston (April 23). I can no longer remain silent.

What is wrong with the people in the Twin Cities, that we allow ourselves to be taken advantage of? Those two welfare cheats are not ignorant refugees. They planned to cheat people and did a good job of it. It is our welfare dollars and, as a senior citizen on a fixed income, I resent what they did.

This is not a victimless crime, as their lawyer stated. It hurts people because it takes away from others who need help. We all know of someone who is in need and can’t get any help because there isn’t enough money in the till.

Make an example of cheats when they are caught, instead of a slap on the hands. They lied, cheated and got welfare money supposed to go to “needy” people. They are asking to repay a small percent of what they stole. They can pay it all back, since their business “earned $3.2 million.”

Shame on them.

They blame Lewiston Housing for not catching their lies. What kind of defense is that? Shame on the lawyers.

It is time for us to stand up to cheaters and say “no more.”

Connie Grenier, Auburn