Seven Charged with Bilking County Agency of More Than $70,000 in Undeserved Welfare Benefits

One suspect reported the living father of her child as ‘dead’

MINEOLA, NY – Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice announced today that seven women have been charged with stealing more than $70,000 in undeserved welfare benefits. The charges stem from an ongoing joint investigation by the District Attorney’s Office and the Nassau County Department of Social Services (DSS).

Rice said the seven women falsely reported income levels and employment information in order to obtain the benefits. One woman indicated that the father of her children was deceased when, in fact, he was alive and living in the home while working a full-time job.

“I will not stand idly by as the taxpayers of our county are ripped off,” said Rice.“Now more than ever, we have families in real need of these benefits and when someone scams the system those families may not get what they need.Who’s left holding the bill for these types of thefts?The taxpayers.”

The suspects are:

Julie Meyer, 33, of Lake Ronkonkoma, was arrested October 1 and charged with Welfare Fraud in the Third Degree, Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree. Rice said Meyer, from July 18, 2007 to November 30, 2007, stole $6,209 in public assistance and food stamps by falsely reporting that her children were part of her household composition. She is due back in court Dec. 19 and is represented by Kenneth Feraru, Esq.

Deirdre Insalaco, 34, of North Bellmore, was arrested October 7 and charged with Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree. Rice said Insalaco, from January 1, 2004 to November 30, 2007, stole $7,265 in benefits by submitting an application for medical assistance that contained false information regarding her husband’s income. She is due back in court Dec. 9 and is represented by Michael Litman, Esq.

Sandra Martinez, 51, of Glen Cove, was arrested October 28 and charged with Welfare Fraud in the Third Degree, Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree. Rice said Martinez, from March 20, 2006 to December 31, 2007, stole $11,344 in child care assistance by fraudulently concealing her employment income during the application process, and by submitting forged employment verification forms to support her application. She is due back in court Dec. 4 and is represented by Ronald Goldman, Esq.

Yolanda Pagan-Bueno, 59, of Hempstead, was arrested October 31 and charged with Welfare Fraud in the Third Degree, Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree. Rice said Pagan-Bueno, from July 29, 2005 to July 31, 2007, concealed her employment income as a day care provider to steal medical assistance benefits totaling $8,071. She is due back in court Dec. 8 and is represented by Mark Silverman, Esq.

Amanda Maldonado-Morales, 33, of Uniondale, was arrested June 20 and charged with Welfare Fraud in the Third Degree, Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree. Rice said Maldonado-Morales, from January 1, 2004 to September 30, 2007, stole $31,171 in Medicaid benefits by concealing her husband’s income, as well as additional household income. She is due back in court Nov. 26 and is represented by John Halton, Esq.

Jennifer Price, 34, of Valley Stream, was arrested October 1 and charged with Welfare Fraud in the Third Degree and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree. Rice said that Price, from January 1, 2007 through July 31, 2007, wrongfully collected $4,521 in public assistance, Medicaid and food stamp benefits by indicating to DSS that her child’s absent father was deceased. The father was not only alive, but was living in the same house, which he has owned since 2000. His income of more than $70,000 was also concealed. She is due back in court Nov. 18 and is represented by Jeffrey St. Clare, Esq.

Marva Reefer, 47, of Merrick, was arrested November 14 and charged with Welfare Fraud in the Fourth Degree, Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree. Rice said Reefer, from May 18, 2007 to November 19, 2007, stole $2,900 in child care assistance by falsely reporting employment and income information. She is due back in court Nov. 26 and is represented by Scott Brettschneider, Esq.

"If you try and cheat the system in Nassau County, you will be caught and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi. “Nassau County will not tolerate public welfare fraud and I commend the Department of Social Services and the District Attorney's office for their investigative work.The Department of Social Services will continue to work cooperatively with the District Attorney's office and put an end to public welfare fraud."

Assistant District Attorney Christine Burke of the Government and Consumer Frauds Bureau is handling these cases for the District Attorney’s Office.

The charges against the defendants are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.