Ulster County’s “Zero Tolerance” Anti-Fraud, Waste And Abuse Program
Kingston, N.Y. – Ulster County Executive Mike Hein announces that three arrests were made under the County’s “Zero Tolerance” Anti-Fraud, Waste and Abuse Program.
“Every stolen taxpayer dollar is money that cannot go to help someone truly in need and by stopping Welfare fraud and abuse we can save taxpayer money which is our fiscal responsibility,” said County Executive Mike Hein. “The important efforts by the Department of Social Services Special Investigation Unit and the Offices of District Attorney Holley Carnright and Ulster County Sheriff Paul Van Blarcum under the County’s `Zero Tolerance´ program is truly making a difference. Ulster County residents can assist us in reporting any suspicions of such fraud or abuse to the Special Investigations Unit by using the hotline 1-855-SIU-TIPS or 1-855-748-8477.”
Serena Ledsome of Catskill, New York was arrested on March 12, 2018 by the Ulster County Sheriff’s Department and charged with the felonies of Welfare Fraud in the Fourth Degree and two counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree. An investigation conducted by the Ulster County Department of Social Services Special Investigation Unit (SIU), in conjunction with the Office of the Ulster County District Attorney discovered that Ms. Ledsome failed to report income from October 2017 through February 2018. This resulted in Ms. Ledsome receiving $1,701.00 in Temporary Assistance benefits and $409.00 in SNAP benefits to which she was not entitled. She was processed and released to appear in Ulster Town Court at a future date.
Amy Webb of Marlboro, New York was arrested on March 12, 2018 by the Ulster County Sheriff’s Department and charged with the felonies of Welfare Fraud in the Third Degree and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree. An investigation conducted by the Ulster County Department of Social Services Special Investigation Unit (SIU), in conjunction with the Office of the Ulster County District Attorney discovered that Ms. Webb failed to report employment and income in a SNAP application filed in May of 2017. This resulted in Ms. Webb receiving $4,268.00 in SNAP benefits to which she was not entitled. She was processed and released to appear in Ulster Town Court at a future date.
Jacqueline Watt of Highland, New York was arrested on March 12, 2018 by the Ulster County Sheriff’s Department and charged with the felonies of Welfare Fraud in the Fourth Degree and twelve counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree. An investigation conducted by the Ulster County Department of Social Services Special Investigation Unit (SIU), in conjunction with the Office of the Ulster County District Attorney discovered that Ms. Watt, a Day Care Provider, repeatedly falsified paperwork submitted to the Daycare Unit as a Daycare Provider from November 2016 through November 2017. This resulted in Ms. Watt receiving $1,298.70 in Daycare payments to which she was not entitled. She was arraigned in the Town of Esopus Court and remanded to Ulster County Jail on $500 bail, for reappearance in Ulster Town Court at a future date.
All reports of suspected fraud will be investigated. To contact Ulster County’s dedicated Welfare anti-fraud and abuse hotline, please call 1-855-SIU-TIPS or 1-855-748-8477.
