‘Zero Tolerance’ Continues in Ulster County
Kingston, NY – Ulster County Executive Mike Hein announces that two arrests were made under the County’s “Zero Tolerance” Anti-Fraud, Waste and Abuse Program.
“I commend the Department of Social Services Investigative Unit and their diligent efforts to protect public benefits, as well as the coordinated efforts of the Offices of District Attorney Holley Carnright and Ulster County Sheriff Paul Van Blarcum,” said County Executive Mike Hein. “Our `No Tolerance´ Anti-Fraud, Waste and Abuse Program continues to yield results and show that we are serious about protecting the benefits for those who truly need them as well our taxpayers. Please report any suspicions of fraud or abuse to the Ulster County Department of Social Services Special Investigations Unit (SIU) by contacting the hotline at 1-855-SIU-Tips.”
On October 23, 2018, Kaitlyn Walker and Russell Mazzuca Jr. of Saugerties, New York were arrested by Ulster County Sheriff's Deputies and charged with the Felonies of Welfare Fraud in the Third Degree, Grand Larceny 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 Investigations Unit, in conjunction with the Office of the Ulster County District Attorney, discovered that from January 2017 to September 2018, Ms. Walker and Mr. Mazzuca failed to accurately report vehicles owned by them, which exceeded the resource limit for Temporary Assistance. This resulted in Ms. Walker and Mr. Mazzuca receiving $25,183.01 in Temporary Assistance benefits to which they were not entitled. Ms. Walker and Mr. Mazzuca were processed and issued appearance tickets for Ulster Town Court.
On October 24, 2018, SaleenaFerraiuolo of Kingston, New York was arrested by Ulster County Sheriff's Deputies and charged with the Felonies of Welfare Fraud in the Fourth Degree and three counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree. Following an investigation conducted by the Ulster County Department of Social Services Special Investigation Unit, in conjunction with the Office of the Ulster County District Attorney, discovered that Ms. Ferraiuolo had filed a number of recertification’s for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits with the Department of Social Services during the period of December 2016 through September 2018, not accurately reporting her household composition and income. This resulted in Ms. Ferraiuolo receiving $1,320.00 in SNAP benefits to which she was not entitled. Ms. Ferraiuolo was processed and issued an appearance ticket for Ulster Town Court.
All reports of suspected fraud will be investigated. A charge is an allegation and is not evidence of guilt, all suspects charged above are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. To contact Ulster County’s dedicated Welfare anti-fraud and abuse hotline, please call 1-855-SIU-TIPS or 1-855-748-8477.
