Zero Tolerance Continues in Ulster County
Kingston, N.Y. – Ulster County Executive Mike Hein announces that two arrests were made earlier this week under the County’s “Zero Tolerance” Program.
“Under Ulster County’s `Zero Tolerance´ Program, the Ulster County Department of Social Services Special Investigations Unit, and the Offices of Ulster County District Attorney Holley Carnright and Ulster County Sheriff Paul Van Blarcum continue to make sure that justice is served if someone is abusing the system and I appreciate all that they do,” said County Executive Mike Hein. “It is important to protect the limited pool of benefits that are available for those who truly need them. Please report any suspicions of fraud or abuse to the Special Investigations Unit by contacting the hotline at 1-855-SIU-Tips.”
Alyssa Candelario and Victor Lane of Saugerties were arrested on October 25, 2016 by the Ulster County Sheriff’s Department and charged with Welfare Fraud in the Fifth Degree, multiple counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, and Grand Larceny in the Third Degree. An investigation conducted by the Ulster County Department of Social Services Special Investigations Unit (SIU), in conjunction with the Office of Ulster County District Attorney discovered that Candelario and Lane failed to report income to the Department of Social Services over a two year period from 2014-2016. This resulted in Alyssa Candelario and Victor Lane receiving $11,531.00 in SNAP benefits. Both were processed and released to reappear 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.
