Ulster County’s Zero Tolerance Program
Kingston, N.Y. – Ulster County Executive Mike Hein announces that four arrests were made yesterday under the County’s “Zero Tolerance” Anti-Fraud, Waste and Abuse Program.
“The coordinated efforts between the Ulster County Department of Social Services Special Investigations Unit, the Ulster County District Attorney Holley Carnright’s Office and the Office of Ulster County Sheriff Paul Van Blarcum are resulting in great progress combatting welfare fraud, waste and abuse in Ulster County,” said Ulster County Executive Michael P. Hein. “I commend their diligent work in protecting our taxpayers and safeguarding the public benefits that need to be available to those who truly need them. I encourage residents to report any suspicions of fraud or abuse to the Special Investigations Unit by contacting the hotline at 1-855-SIU-Tips.”
Rupert Herdsman and Tana Carter Herdsman of New Windsor, New York were arrested on December 7, 2016 by the Ulster County Sheriff’s Department and charged with Welfare Fraud in the Third Degree, Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and two counts each of Offering a False Instrument for Filing. An investigation conducted by the Ulster County Department of Social Services Special Investigations Unit (SIU), in conjunction with the Office of Ulster County District Attorney discovered that the Herdsmans failed to report income to the Department of Social Services over the period of September 2014 through December 2015. This resulted in the Herdsmans receiving $2,816 in SNAP benefits and $17,113.80 in Temporary Assistance for which they were not entitled. Both were processed and released to reappear in Ulster Town Court at a future date.
Kammeisha Stith of Kingston, New York was arrested on December 7, 2016 by the Ulster County Sheriff’s Department and charged with Welfare Fraud in the Third Degree and two counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing. An investigation conducted by the Ulster County Department of Social Services Special Investigations Unit (SIU), in conjunction with the Office of Ulster County District Attorney discovered that Stith failed to report income to the Department of Social Services over the period of August 2015 through April 2016. This resulted in Stith receiving $1,089 in SNAP benefits, $1,087.59 in Medicaid benefits and $1,721.50 in Temporary Assistance for which she was not entitled. Ms. Stith was processed and released to reappear in Ulster Town Court at a future date.
Lizette Andino of Staatsburg, New York was arrested on December 7, 2016 by the Ulster County Sheriff’s Department and charged with Welfare Fraud in the Fourth Degree and three counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing. An investigation conducted by the Ulster County Department of Social Services Special Investigations Unit (SIU), in conjunction with the Office of Ulster County District Attorney discovered that Andino failed to report to the Department of Social Services that a minor child had left her household as she continued to collect public welfare benefits from February 2016 through October 2016. This resulted in Andino receiving $1,467 in SNAP benefits and $1,297 in Temporary Assistance for which she was not entitled. Ms. Andino was processed and released to reappear in Ulster Town Court at a future date.
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.
