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Otari Bater, age 49, of East Northport, was arraigned on felony charges of grand larceny and welfare fraud in Nassau County Court on Tuesday, Dec. 27.
Prosecutors allege that between January 2018 and January 2020, while applying for Medicaid and SNAP benefits, Bater made false claims to the Nassau County Department of Social Services (NCDSS) and the New York State Health Benefits Exchange (NYSHBE).
Those false claims included that his wife was unemployed and earned no income, and that he also earned little to no income, prosecutors said. Bater also claimed that his family of five paid rent and lived in a relative’s home.
An investigation by NCDSS later revealed that Bater actually worked as the president of two companies and was also employed as both a furniture salesperson and real estate broker during that same period.
Records showed that Bater paid personal expenses from the business accounts, including a car loan for a luxury vehicle and the mortgage for a home in Plainview where the family lived, prosecutors allege.
Investigators also determined that the family had never lived with relatives, as was documented in NCDSS paperwork.
In all, Bater was allegedly overpaid approximately $58,941 in benefits through both the NCDSS and the NYSHBE.
He surrendered to the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office on Tuesday, Dec. 27.
“This defendant allegedly took advantage of our public benefit programs, misrepresented his employment and income status, and denied families in Nassau County the funds they truly need to survive,” District Attorney Anne Donnelly said.
“Committing fraud against these essential programs is not a victimless crime; it has a ripple effect across our most vulnerable populations. NCDA is dedicated to prosecuting these fraud cases and weeding out the bad actors who exploit these programs.”
Bater is also charged with four counts of offering a false instrument for filing, a felony.
He pleaded not guilty to all charges in court Tuesday and was released on his own recognizance.
If convicted, he faces between five and 15 years in prison.
Bater is scheduled to appear back in Nassau County Court on Thursday, Jan 12.
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