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Welfare fraud

Sullivan County Welfare Fraud Task Force Nabs Alleged Violators Sullivan County Welfare Fraud Task Force Nabs Alleged Violators
Sullivan County Welfare Fraud Task Force Nabs Alleged Violators Four recipients of welfare benefits in the region were nabbed for a variety of alleged crimes ranging from selling a SNAP card to failing to report income. The four were charged in Sullivan County from August to October by the Sullivan County Welfare Task Force. The four include: Sage Pere, age 26, of Monticello, was charged on Friday, Aug. 23, for criminal use of a benefit card. It is alleged that Pere sold her SNAP benefit card, issued by the Sullivan County Department of Social Services, for $50 cash. The card had $100 worth of benefits on it. Pere was processed and released …
Former Kent Woman Accused Of $12K Welfare Scheme Former Kent Woman Accused Of $12K Welfare Scheme
Former Kent Woman Accused Of $12K Welfare Scheme A 31-year-old woman was hit with felony charges after allegedly filing false documents to receive thousands of dollars in welfare benefits she was not entitled to in the Hudson Valley, police announced.  Bronx resident Ruby Guillen, who once lived in the Putnam County town of Kent, was arrested on Wednesday, Aug. 28 in connection with her alleged welfare scheme, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office announced on Tuesday, Sept. 3.  According to authorities, in March 2024, the Sheriff's Office learned that the Department of Social Services was investigating a client they suspected had …
$31K Scheme: Hudson Valley Woman Nabbed For Welfare Fraud, Police Say $31K Scheme: Hudson Valley Woman Nabbed For Welfare Fraud, Police Say
$31K Scheme: Hudson Valley Woman Nabbed For Welfare Fraud, Police Say A 35-year-old Hudson Valley woman faces felony charges after claiming tens of thousands of dollars in welfare benefits she was not entitled to, authorities announced.  Putnam County resident Kimberly Nieves of Kent was arrested on Thursday, June 27 in connection with alleged welfare fraud, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office announced on Monday, July 1.  According to the Sheriff's Office, the investigation that led to Nieves' arrest began in March 2024, when the Putnam County Department of Social Services reported that one of their clients had allegedly been cla…
Welfare Fraud Task Force Makes 2 Arrests In Region Welfare Fraud Task Force Makes 2 Arrests In Region
Welfare Fraud Task Force Makes 2 Arrests In Region Two women from the region have been nabbed for alleged welfare fraud. The arrests occurred in Sullivan County in Monticello on Friday, April 12, and Thursday, April 25. According to the Sullivan County Welfare Fraud Task Force, the following arrests were made:  Drewcilla R. Noel, age 31, of Monticello, was arrested on Friday, April 12, and charged with grand larceny and theft of services. It is alleged that Noel utilized Medicaid Medical Transportation services on various dates beginning June 2023 and continuing through December 2023 with multiple transportation compan…
Rental Scammer: Long Island Woman Faked Income For Housing Benefits, DA Says Rental Scammer: Long Island Woman Faked Income For Housing Benefits, DA Says
Rental Scammer: Long Island Woman Faked Income For Housing Benefits, DA Says A woman from Long Island has been accused of lying about her income for years in order to get rental benefits – and buying a house during that time, authorities said. Melissa Beltre, a 42-year-old South Hempstead woman, faced her arraignment for her alleged scam on Thursday, March 14, the Nassau County District Attorney announced. Starting in October 2018, Beltre applied to the Nassau County Office of Housing, Housing Choice Voucher Program (NCHCVP) for rental assistance. On her application, the DA’s Office said, she claimed to live in Oceanside and that her weekly income fell in the cor…
Trio From Region Charged By Welfare Fraud Task Force For Receiving Benefits While Working Trio From Region Charged By Welfare Fraud Task Force For Receiving Benefits While Working
Trio From Region Charged By Welfare Fraud Task Force For Receiving Benefits While Working Three residents from the region have been charged with welfare fraud following an investigation. The Sullivan County Welfare Fraud Task Force made the following arrest made the following arrests in November and December 2023: Ciera M. Hatch, age 31, of Liberty, was arrested and charged with welfare fraud and offering a false instrument for filing. It is alleged that Hatch stole SNAP benefits from the Sullivan County Department of Social Services by failing to disclose on her SNAP re-certification application that she was employed during this same time frame. This unreported income resulted…
Fraud Task Force Nabs 3 In Region For Misue Of Public Benefits, Officials Say Fraud Task Force Nabs 3 In Region For Misue Of Public Benefits, Officials Say
Fraud Task Force Nabs 3 In Region For Misue Of Public Benefits, Officials Say Three residents from the region have been charged with misuse of public benefits by a Fraud Task Force. The arrests took place throughout Sullivan County during September and October. Those charged include: Stephanie Scanna, age 39, of Neversink was arrested and charged on Saturday, Sept. 16 with petit larceny and misuse of food stamps. It is alleged that Scanna stole $380.13 in SNAP benefits from the Sullivan County Department of Social Services by using a benefit card that belonged to a deceased individual. Scanna was processed and released on an appearance ticket to…
Trio Nabbed For Welfare Fraud In Region, Officials Say Trio Nabbed For Welfare Fraud In Region, Officials Say
Trio Nabbed For Welfare Fraud In Region, Officials Say Three residents in the region have been charged with alleged welfare fraud following an investigation by the Sullivan County Welfare Fraud Task Force. Those arrested included: Jacqueline M. Vargas, age 39, of Liberty, was arrested on Sunday July 23 and charged with welfare fraud and offering a false instrument for filing. Vargas allegedly stole $1,435 in SNAP benefits from the Sullivan County Department of Social Services by failing to a second source of income from a second job between June 2022, and Dec. 2022.  She was processed and released on an appea…
Welfare Fraud: 5 From Region Nabbed By Task Force With Theft Of Funds Welfare Fraud: 5 From Region Nabbed By Task Force With Theft Of Funds
Welfare Fraud: 5 From Region Nabbed By Task Force With Theft Of Funds Five residents from the region have been charged with defrauding welfare for a range of alleged crimes following an investigation.  The arrests took place in Sullivan County over the past 30 days by the Sullivan County Welfare Fraud Task Force. All five are Sullivan County residents: Jasmine Lambrecht, age 27, of Liberty, was arrested Wednesday, April 19, and charged with offering a false instrument for filing and welfare fraud. It is alleged that Lambrecht failed to provide truthful information about income on a periodic update report filed in Jan. 2022 with the Sullivan County Depa…
Drugs, Welfare Cards: Western Mass Couple Busted After Traffic Stop Upends Conspiracy, Cops Say Drugs, Welfare Cards: Western Mass Couple Busted After Traffic Stop Upends Conspiracy, Cops Say
Drugs, Welfare Cards: Western Mass Couple Busted After Traffic Stop Upends Conspiracy, Cops Say A Springfield couple was caught with drugs, a gun, and a stockpile of EBT and welfare assistance cards earlier this week after a routine traffic stop, authorities said.  Mark Centeno, age 33, and Astrid Reyes, 29, face a litany of charges following the Valentine's Day arrest, the Springfield police said.  An officer spotted Centeno and Reyes in a parking lot along State Street just before 5 p.m. Their car was missing its inspection sticker, which sparked the stop.  Officers found 900 Oxycodone pills, 39 grams of cocaine, and marijuana in the car, Springfield police said. Cen…
LI Company Prez Fraudulently Received $50K In Public Benefits While Driving Luxury Car, DA Says LI Company Prez Fraudulently Received $50K In Public Benefits While Driving Luxury Car, DA Says
LI Company Prez Fraudulently Received $50K In Public Benefits While Driving Luxury Car, DA Says A Long Island man is accused of fraudulently obtaining tens of thousands of dollars in public assistance while serving as the president of two companies and driving a luxury car, prosecutors said. 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)…
Hudson County Welfare Office Employee Accused Of Stealing Thousands Of Dollars Hudson County Welfare Office Employee Accused Of Stealing Thousands Of Dollars
Hudson County Welfare Office Employee Accused Of Stealing Thousands Of Dollars A Hudson County Welfare employee was arrested after an investigation found he used Electronic Benefits Transfer cards to withdraw cash, authorities said Monday. Herbert Thomas, 55, of Jersey City, accessed EBT cards issued to welfare recipients at least 10 times between Sept. 28, 2020 and Feb. 19, 2021, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said. Thomas withdrew several thousand dollars in cash, Suarez said. He was arrested March 15 at the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office in Jersey City, and charged with 10 counts of theft by unlawful taking. Thomas' first court appearance is sched…
LI Social Services Employee Accused Of Fraudulently Obtaining Benefits For Family Members LI Social Services Employee Accused Of Fraudulently Obtaining Benefits For Family Members
LI Social Services Employee Accused Of Fraudulently Obtaining Benefits For Family Members A Long Island Department of Social Services employee has been arrested for allegedly fraudulently obtaining benefits for her family members. Paola Masi, 30, of Patchogue, was arrested on Tuesday, Dec. 22, for allegedly using her position to steal more than $5,000 in benefits for family members, said Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy Sini. Masi has been employed by Suffolk DSS as a Social Services Examiner 1 since 2013 and is responsible for evaluating applications to determine an individual’s eligibility for benefits, the DA's Office said In 2018 and 2019, she allegedly used her pos…
Five From Area Charged With Welfare Fraud Five From Area Charged With Welfare Fraud
Five From Area Charged With Welfare Fraud A total of five area residents have been arrested and charged in connection with welfare fraud. The arrests stem from an investigation by the Ulster County Department of Social Services Special Investigation Unit, along with the Ulster County District Attorney's Office. Those arrested were:  Imani Heyward, 30 of Ellenville, was arrested on Wednesday, Nov. 27, and charged with the felonies of welfare fraud, grand larceny and two counts of offering a false instrument for filing. Heyward was arrested after an investigation found she had allegedly applied for and received SNAP benefits, …
Investigation Into Alleged Welfare Fraud Leads To Three Arrests Investigation Into Alleged Welfare Fraud Leads To Three Arrests
Investigation Into Alleged Welfare Fraud Leads To Three Arrests An investigation into alleged welfare fraud in the area led to the arrest of three people. The three women were arrested following the investigation conducted by the Ulster County Department of Social Services Special Investigation Unit along with the Ulster County District Attorney's Office. Those arrested were: Maria Whitbeck, 54 of Kingston, was arrested on Tuesday, Oct. 29, by Ulster County Sheriff's deputies and charged with welfare fraud, grand larceny, and four counts of offering a false instrument for filing, said the Ulster County District Attorney's Office. An investigation disc…
Area Woman Charged With Welfare Fraud Area Woman Charged With Welfare Fraud
Area Woman Charged With Welfare Fraud A 46-year-old woman was busted for welfare fraud following an investigation by the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office and the Department Of Community and Family Services. Michelle Walcott, of Hyde Park, was arrested on Friday, Sept. 27, and charged with felony welfare fraud, said Dutchess County Sheriff's Office Capt. John Watterson. According to Watterson, the investigation found Walcott allegedly received $21,058 in SNAP benefits between January 2011 and December 2016 by concealing the fact that she co-owned property while reporting that she was paying rent. Walcott was released …
11 Arrested For Welfare Fraud Following Investigation 11 Arrested For Welfare Fraud Following Investigation
11 Arrested For Welfare Fraud Following Investigation Following an investigation into welfare fraud, 11 area residents have been arrested. The arrests followed an investigation conducted by the Ulster County Department of Social Services Special Investigation Unit and the Office of the Ulster County District Attorney. The arrests took place in July and August.  According to a release from the District Attorney's Office, the following were arrested for fraud, and other charges.   Toni DeJesus, 50, of Kingston, was charged with welfare fraud, grand larceny, and nine counts of offering a false instrument for filing. DeJ…
Pawling Woman Accepted Thousands In Welfare Payments While Employed Pawling Woman Accepted Thousands In Welfare Payments While Employed
Pawling Woman Accepted Thousands In Welfare Payments While Employed A 49-year-old woman was arrested by the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office for welfare fraud for allegedly accepting public assistance while employed. Janet Rodriguez, of Pawling, was arrested  Tuesday, July 2, following an investigating by the Sheriff’s Office Detective Division, in conjunction with the Dutchess County Department of Community & Family Services, said Dutchess County Sheriff's Office Capt. John Watterson. According to Watterson, the investigation revealed that Rodriguez allegedly illegally obtained $6,896 in public assistance and SNAP benefits betw…
Hopewell Junction Man Nabbed For Alleged $20K Medicaid Fraud Hopewell Junction Man Nabbed For Alleged $20K Medicaid Fraud
Hopewell Junction Man Nabbed For Alleged $20K Medicaid Fraud A 32-year-old Dutchess County man has been arrested for allegedly ripping off more than $20,000 in Medicaid benefits. Ahmad A. Khatib, of Hopewell Junction, was arrested on Thursday, March 21, for welfare fraud stemming from a recent investigation, said Capt. John Watterson of the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office. The investigation by the Sheriff’s Office Detective Division, in conjunction with the Division of the Dutchess County Department of Community and Family Services, revealed that Khatib illegally obtained over $20,000 in Medicaid benefits between January 201…
Convenience Store Owner, Son-In-Law Charged In Fraud Scheme Convenience Store Owner, Son-In-Law Charged In Fraud Scheme
Convenience Store Owner, Son-In-Law Charged In Fraud Scheme State Police say they have uncovered a convenience store welfare fraud scheme after conducting an investigation through November and early December. The scheme allegedly involved the use of Electronic Benefit Cards (EBT cards) at the Sam’s Mart convenience store on Academy Ave in Middletown. Police say the store’s owner, 59-year-old Ahsan Chaudhry of Middletown, would allow New York residents with EBT cards to exchange them for cash. Typically, the card-holder would receive a fraction of the card’s balance in cash. Chaudhry and his son-in-law, 24-year-old Ammar Ahmad, also of Middletown, w…
Woman Sentenced For Stealing Thousands From Rockland Department Of Social Services Woman Sentenced For Stealing Thousands From Rockland Department Of Social Services
Woman Sentenced For Stealing Thousands From Rockland Department Of Social Services A Rockland County woman who was found guilty by a jury of stealing thousands in welfare funds has been sentenced to probation. Jermika Depas, 32, of Spring Valley, was sentenced Tuesday to five years probation and $4,662.50 in restitution after being convicted by a Rockland County jury of welfare fraud and other charges, said the Rockland County District Attorney's Office. Depas, while living rent-free at 62 Branchwood Lane., in Nanuet, filed three applications between March of 2015 and June of 2016 for welfare benefits with the Rockland County Department of Social Services, the DA's Office…
Rockland Woman Convicted Of Forging, Filing False Documents, Fraud Rockland Woman Convicted Of Forging, Filing False Documents, Fraud
Rockland Woman Convicted Of Forging, Filing False Documents, Fraud A Rockland County woman has been convicted of fraud and forging documents following a jury trial. Jermika Depas, 32, of Spring Valley, was found guilty of one count of welfare fraud, three counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument, and three counts of filing a false document, all felonies, in order to receive rent-free living assistance, said the Rockland County District Attorney's Office. “This defendant used deceit and fraud to feign a need for rent support and other public benefits," said District Attorney Thomas Zugibe. "Taxpayer-subsidized assistance is intended to…
Wappingers Falls Woman Charged In $3K Welfare Fraud Scheme Wappingers Falls Woman Charged In $3K Welfare Fraud Scheme
Wappingers Falls Woman Charged In $3K Welfare Fraud Scheme A Wappingers Falls woman was nabbed for ripping off the welfare system of more than $3,000 in illegally obtained benefits, according to the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office. Ann Marie Rosario, 48, was arrested Thursday following an investigation by the Sheriff's Department, and the Dutchess County Department of Community and Family Services, said Capt. John Watterson. The investigation found that Rosario illegally obtained over $3,000 in SNAP benefits between June and Sept 2016 by allegedly concealing the fact that she had other outside income, said Watterson. Rosario was charged with welf…
Poughkeepsie Man Accused Of Stealing $4K In Welfare Benefits Poughkeepsie Man Accused Of Stealing $4K In Welfare Benefits
Poughkeepsie Man Accused Of Stealing $4K In Welfare Benefits A Poughkeepsie man was arrested for stealing more than $4,000 in welfare benefits, said the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office. Angel M. Rivera, 36, was arrested Tuesday following an investigation by the Sheriff’s Office Detective Division, in conjunction with the Dutchess County Department of Community and Family Services, said Capt. John Watterson. According to officials, Rivera illegally obtained more than $4,100 in SNAP benefits between June 2015 and May 2016 by concealing the fact that he had unreported income. Rivera was charged with welfare fraud and released. He is scheduled to appea…
Poughkeepsie Woman Nabbed For Welfare Fraud Poughkeepsie Woman Nabbed For Welfare Fraud
Poughkeepsie Woman Nabbed For Welfare Fraud A Poughkeepsie woman was arrested for welfare fraud following an investigation by the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office. Candice M. Jackson, 33 of Poughkeepsie, was arrested Tuesday and charged with felony welfare fraud after the investigation, in conjunction with the Investigations Division of the Dutchess County Department of Community and Family Services. The investigation found that Jackson fraudulently received over $5,000 in benefits between October 2014 and August 2015 by concealing the fact that one of her children no longer lived with her, police said. After being processed Jackson…