Ulster County’s “Zero Tolerance” Anti-Fraud, Waste And Abuse Program
Kingston, N.Y. – Ulster County Executive Mike Hein announces that two arrests were made under the County’s “Zero Tolerance” Anti-Fraud, Waste and Abuse Program.
“By stopping welfare fraud and abuse, we can make sure that benefits are available for those who truly need them while also protecting our taxpayers,” 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 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.”
Jeannine McCullough of East Kingston, New York was arrested on November 21, 2017 by the Ulster County Sheriff’s Department and charged with Welfare Fraud in the Third Degree, Grand Larceny in the Third 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. McCullough failed to report income from November 2015 through August 2017. This resulted in Ms. McCullough receiving $2,863.00 in SNAP benefits and $28,013.00 in Medicaid benefits to which she was not entitled. Jeannine McCullough was processed and released to appear in Ulster Town Court at a future date.
GinaMarie Ludica of Highland, New York was arrested on November 21, 2017 by the Ulster County Sheriff’s Department and charged with Welfare Fraud in the Fourth Degree and four 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. Ludica failed to report income from August 2015 through September 2016. This resulted in Ms. Ludica receiving $2,780.00 in SNAP benefits to which she was not entitled. GinaMarie Ludica was processed and released to appear 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.
