May 18 , 2007

Hempstead Man Admits to Stealing Benefits

McAllister stole thousands from Nassau and federal governments

MINEOLA, NY – District Attorney Kathleen Rice announced today that Boysie McAllister has admitted to stealing public assistance/Medicaid benefits from Nassau County and Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income benefits from the federal government.

Appearing today in Nassau County Court before Justice Richard A. LaPera, McAllister pleaded guilty to Welfare Fraud in the Fourth Degree and Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree.  Mr. McAllister faces up to four years in prison at his August 9 sentencing.

“The integrity of these important government programs are compromised by those who steal,” said Rice.  “Citizens entitled to help from the government are deprived of this help when this happens.”

McAllister, 51, of Hempstead, was charged in February as part of a government benefits fraud sweep, which took place following a joint investigation by Nassau County Department of Social Services, the United States Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General/Office of Investigations, and the District Attorney’s Office.  (Click here for more information)

According to prosecutors, the defendant stole in excess of $19,000 in public assistance and Medicaid benefits from the county and in excess of $24,000 in Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income benefits from the federal government.  Since May 2002, Mr. McAllister had worked for the Economic Opportunity Commission of Nassau County.  During that time, he made numerous applications wherein he failed to provide accurate income for – and wrongfully obtained – benefits from both Nassau County and the United States governments.

"Medicaid and public assistance fraud rob the taxpayers and hurt the poor,” said Nicole Watkins, Nassau County’s Director of Medicaid Investigations. “I hope this conviction will once again send out the message that if you try and cheat the taxpayers of Nassau County and New York, you will be caught and brought to justice."

As a condition of today’s negotiated plea, Mr. McAllister has agreed to pay full restitution to Nassau County and to the federal government.

District Attorney Rice thanked the Nassau County Department of Social Services and Edward J. Ryan, Special Agent in Charge, United States Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, for their referrals and their assistance in these investigations.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney and Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Government and Consumer Frauds Bureau Michael C. Clarke.  Mr. McAllister is being represented by Joseph K. Garneau, Esq., of West Hempstead.