Otter Tail Issues Warrants in $650K Benefits Fraud Case
Otter Tail County court issued arrest warrants Oct. 14, 2025, for Horia and Sandra Marcu after the Florida couple failed to appear at a rescheduled virtual hearing in a case alleging nearly $650,000 in welfare fraud. The escalation highlights local concerns about misuse of taxpayer-funded programs and the strain such losses can place on services serving Fergus Falls, Perham and other rural communities.
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Otter Tail County authorities on Oct. 14 issued arrest warrants for Horia and Sandra Marcu, a couple who formerly lived in the county and are now believed to be residing in Fernandina Beach, Florida. The warrants were signed after the couple did not appear for a virtual court appearance by Zoom on Oct. 13 in connection with a long-running investigation into alleged fraud involving state assistance programs.
Court filings and local reporting show prosecutors filed 55 felony counts on Sept. 29, 2025, accusing the Marcu family of receiving $647,832 in overpayments between January 2018 and July 2023. The alleged scheme centers on continued receipt of Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP), Medical Assistance, and SNAP benefits after the couple relocated to Florida in March 2022, along with submission of false timesheets for personal care assistant (PCA) services.
Otter Tail County investigators opened the probe in February 2023 after receiving a tip about the couple’s out-of-state residence. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension joined the county’s Human Services team in the inquiry. Reporting in Fergus Now on Oct. 14 and TRF News on Sept. 29 verified the issuance of warrants and outlined the earlier charging phase, respectively.
Court documents and local reports identify several organizations and individuals involved in the records under review. Otter Tail County Human Services administered the benefits at issue, and Accra Care was listed as the PCA provider. The couple’s son, Michael Marcu, was paid as a personal care assistant and later discharged. Additional names appearing in filings as submitters of questionable timesheets include Ioan Poptelecan, Jason Stowers, and Chris Klenke.
The immediate law-enforcement development — warrants issued after a missed court appearance — marks an escalation from the initial charges filed late last month. As of this report the warrants have been issued but it remains unclear whether they have been served or whether the couple has been apprehended in Florida. Follow-up could include monitoring extradition procedures, additional charges, or further court action in Minnesota.
For Otter Tail County residents, the case raises questions about the integrity and oversight of public assistance systems that serve vulnerable households across rural communities including Fergus Falls and Perham. County officials and social service providers rely on limited state and local resources to fund MFIP, Medical Assistance and SNAP programs. Alleged diversion of nearly $650,000 in benefits can reduce the funds available for legitimate claimants, complicate casework for human services staff, and erode public trust at a time when many local families depend on these programs amid agricultural and economic pressures.
Investigators and county officials will likely stress the importance of proper documentation and program compliance going forward. For residents, the unfolding legal process will be a measure of how effectively local and state authorities can recapture funds and shore up safeguards that prevent misuse. Media reports and court filings will be monitored for updates on arrests, extradition, and any broader implications for program oversight in Otter Tail County.