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Rachel Dolezal Settles Welfare Fraud Case

Nicholas K. Geranios
/
AP Photos
In this March 20, 2017, file photo, Nkechi Diallo, then known as Rachel Dolezal, poses for a photo in Spokane, Wash.

The woman formerly known as Rachel Dolezal reached an agreement with authorities after being charged with welfare fraud.

She was charged with two felonies in 2018. Dolezal, who changed her name two years ago, was accused of taking almost $9,000 in food and child care assistance from Washington state despite earning $84,000 without reporting it.

The former education director at Coeur d’Alene’s Human Rights Education Institute made headlines four years ago when media reports suggested she falsely portrayed herself as black. Dolezal’s mother has said her daughter is white.

Following public outcry, Rachel Dolezal stepped down as head of the Spokane chapter of the NAACP citing the controversy. She says she identifies as a “transracial” black woman. 

The Spokesman Review reports to avoid a trial for welfare fraud, Dolezal agreed to repay the $9,000 and complete 120 hours of community service.

Last year, Netflix released a documentary about Dolezal’s life and the backlash she received after she said she was black.

Find Samantha Wright on Twitter @samwrightradio

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