October 19, 2005

DILLON ANNOUNCES:

WELFARE FRAUD SWEEP

Nassau County District Attorney Denis Dillon announced today the filing of criminal charges against eight people for defrauding the Nassau County Department of Social Services (DSS) out of approximately $40,308. Since February of 2004, Dillon’s Criminal Frauds Bureau has arrested 39 individuals who have defrauded the Department of Social Services of approximately $580,216.

"The eight defendants charged today abused programs which allow persons in need to obtain public assistance benefits through a number of different programs," said Dillon. Some of the defendants obtained benefits to be used for shelter by submitting forged motel receipts to DSS. Others received benefits for basic needs by failing to report all of their income," continued Dillon.

"Nassau County is an expensive place to live and raise a family," said Dillon. "Fraud such as this adds to the tax payers burden and will not be tolerated by my office."

The eight individuals charged include:

Rigoberto Cruz, 43, of 6 Janet Lane, Apt A, Glen Cove. Cruz was injured on the job in 1995 and received Workers’ Compensation Benefits beginning in1997. Cruz concealed this unearned income by providing fraudulent information on documents he submitted to DSS. Between November 1, 2000, and December 31, 2001, Cruz fraudulently received $4,384 in public assistance benefits to which he was not entitled. Cruz has been charged with Welfare Fraud in the Third Degree, a Class D Felony, and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a Class E Felony.

Arrie Brooks-Derrell, 42, of 699 School Street, Apt 8, Baldwin. Between July 20, 2002, and March 12, 2003, Brooks-Derrell received public assistance benefits from DSS to pay for her family’s shelter. By submitting 30 forged motel receipts, she fraudulently received $7,942 in public assistance to which she was not entitled. Brooks-Derrell has been charged with Welfare Fraud in the Third Degree, a Class D Felony, and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a Class E Felony.

Damaris Beltre, 38, of 719 New York Avenue, 2nd Floor, Baldwin Beltre was receiving public assistance shelter benefits from DSS through the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program. To receive the assistance, Beltre was required to submit receipts to DSS from the hotels in which she had stayed. Between July of 2003 and September of 2004, Beltre submitted five forged receipts and thereby fraudulently received public assistance benefits of $1,644. Beltre has been charged with Welfare Fraud in the Fourth Degree, a Class E Felony, and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a Class E Felony.

Lynn Vahldieck, 39, of 71 Bernard Street, Merrick. From November 1, 2000, through May 31, 2001, Vahldieck collected public assistance benefits from DSS while failing to report that a member of her household was receiving monthly Social Security Dependants’ benefits. By failing to report these benefits, Vahldieck received $3,015 to which she was not entitled. She has been charged with Welfare Fraud in the Third Degree, a Class D Felony, and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a Class E Felony.

Cynthia Torres, a.k.a. Cynthia Edwards, 35, of 7 Stevens Street, Roosevelt. Between March 1, 2003, and September 20, 2003, Torres fraudulently obtained public assistance benefits of $3,356.53 for shelter and $4,925 for day care benefits, for a total of $8,281.53, by submitting fraudulent and forged documents to the Freeport Office of DSS. Torres has been charged with Welfare Fraud in the Third Degree, a Class D Felony and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a Class E Felony.

Sharon Purdie, 41, of 85 Ellison Avenue, 1st Floor, Freeport. Between May 24, 2003, and September 28, 2003, by submitting fraudulent motel receipts to DSS, Purdie obtained $1,410 in public assistance benefits to which she was not entitled. Purdie has been charged with Welfare Fraud in the Fourth Degree, a Class E Felony, and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a Class E Felony.

Juana Corona, a.k.a. Juanita Corona, 38, of 144 Denhoff Avenue, Freeport. Corona was receiving public assistance benefits through DSS. From October 18, 2000, through Septemeber 30, 2001, she was working full time for a local attorney. She did not report this employment to DSS. If she had, she would not have been eligible for the benefits she received. During this time period, Corona received public assistance benefits of $8,812 to which she was not entitled. Corona is charged with Welfare Fraud in the Third Degree, a Class D Felony, and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a Class E Felony.

Shakira Binns, 25, address unknown. Binns received public assistance through DSS to provide for her shelter in local motels. Between January 15, 2004, and March 2, 2004, Binns submitted six forged motel receipts and thereby received benefits of $4,819.96 to which she was not entitled. Binns has been charged with Welfare Fraud in the Third Degree, a Class D Felony, and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a Class E Felony.

"I would like to express my thanks for the cooperation we have received from Karen Welkis, the newly named Director of Investigations for the Department of Social Services," said Dillon. "It is through such cooperation that we will be able to continue our efforts to fight welfare fraud in Nassau County."

The defendants will be arraigned today in First District Court, Hempstead. The charges are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.