Public Assistance Investigators of Virginia

Our Founder

EILEEN MARGARET O’CONNOR Grant
Founder of the Public Assistance Investigators of Virginia

Prior to her presidency of PAIV, Eileen accepted a position with Gloucester County DSS, in the early 1970’s, and quickly found that her interests were in welfare fraud.  Eileen later joined York-Poquoson DSS.  In 1975 the York County Commonwealth Attorney requested that Eileen be appointed as a full time fraud investigator.  With the support of her director and the County Social Services Board, Eileen and Rappahannock Community College teacher developed a training program for workers interested in fraud control.  During her long tenure as an investigator Eileen continued to develop and share her skills in interviewing, interrogation, and investigation presenting workshops and seminars for the United Council on Welfare Fraud, Virginia Council of Social Workers, and Virginia Clerical League.

By her retirement in 1995, Eileen had prepared hundreds of fraud cases with a conviction rate of over 90% including the conviction of the one case that was appealed to the Virginia Supreme Court.  The decision from that case changed welfare fraud prosecution by allowing previous convictions occurring within one year to be introduced as evidence of intent.

In 2004 the PAIV Executive Board established the Eileen Grant Achievement Award in honor of Eileen and the legacy she set forth. The award is given to investigators and and/or other individuals who have made significant contributions to the PAIV organization and to Virginia’s Fraud Program. The award exemplifies the individual’s dedication to the PAIV organization and their endeavors towards the prevention, detection and adjudication of public assistance fraud. The award was originally presented at bi-annual PAIV Training Conferences until 2013 at which time the award became an annual award presented at the PAIV One Day Special Training Event.