Ulster County’s “Zero Tolerance” Anti-Fraud, Waste And Abuse Program
Kingston, NY – 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 County’s `Zero Tolerance´ program is truly making a difference thanks to the important efforts of the Department of Social Services Special Investigation Unit, the District Attorney’s Office and the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office. 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.”
On January 14, 2019, Ashley Perez of New Paltz, New York was arrested by the Ulster County Sheriff's Department and charged with the felonies of Welfare Fraud in the Fourth Degree, Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, four counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument. 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. Perez presented forged documents to the Department of Social Services and on multiple occasions, between May 2017 and September 2018, provided recertifications containing false information. This resulted in Ms. Perez receiving $2,413.00 in SNAP benefits to which she was not entitled. Ms. Perez was processed and released to appear in Ulster Town Court.
On January 16, 2019, Mariah Velez, of Kingston, New York was arrested by the Ulster County Sheriff's Department with the assistance of the Kingston Police Department, and charged with the felonies of Welfare Fraud in the Third Degree, twenty counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, and five counts of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree. 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. Velez failed to report her household composition between 2012 and 2018. This resulted in Ms. Velez receiving $20,791.00 in SNAP benefits and $6,873.55 in Temporary Assistance benefits to which she was not entitled. Ms. Velez was processed and issued an appearance ticket to appear in Ulster Town Court.
On February 4, 2019, Jasmine Veillette of Olivebridge, New York was arrested by the Ulster County Sheriff’s Department and charged with the felonies of Welfare Fraud in the Fourth Degree, Grand Larceny in the Fourth 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. Veillette failed to report income from August 2018 through December 2018. This resulted in Ms. Veillette receiving $2,057.97 in SNAP benefits to which he was not entitled. Ms. Veillette was processed and released to appear in Ulster Town Court.
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.
