‘Zero Tolerance’ Continues in Ulster County
Kingston, NY – Ulster County Executive Mike Hein announces that four arrests were made under the County’s “Zero Tolerance” Anti-Fraud, Waste and Abuse Program.
“With the community’s help, we continue to fight Welfare fraud and abuse, making sure that Welfare benefits are available for those who truly need them. I urge residents to contact the Department of Social Services Special Investigative Unit through their hotline number at 1-855-SIU-Tips, to report any suspicions of fraud or abuse,” said County Executive Mike Hein. “I appreciate the coordinated efforts of the Special Investigations Unit and the Offices of Ulster County District Attorney Holley Carnright and Ulster County Sheriff Paul Van Blarcum in enforcing Ulster County’s `Zero Tolerance´ program.”
On October 29, 2018, Robert McCue of Saugerties, New York was arrested by Ulster County Sheriff's Deputies 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. Following 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, it is alleged Mr. McCue filed a recertification for Social Service benefits on December 5, 2017, failing to accurately report his income and resulting in Mr. McCue receiving $2,099.00 in Temporary Assistance for October 2017 through July 2018 to which he was not entitled. Mr. McCue was processed and issued an appearance ticket to appear in Ulster Town Court.
On November 6, 2018, Jamie Zotta of Kerhonkson, New York was arrested by Ulster County Sheriff's Deputies and charged with the Felonies of Welfare Fraud in the Third Degree and three counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree. Following 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, it is alleged that Ms. Zotta filed multiple applications for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits with the Department of Social Services from March 2017 through October 2018, not accurately reporting her household composition and income. This resulted in Ms. Zotta receiving $4,225.00 in SNAP benefits to which she was not entitled. Ms. Zotta was processed and issued an appearance ticket for Ulster Town Court.
On November 7, 2018, Nancy Ducker of Kerhonkson, New York was arrested by Ulster County Sheriff's Deputies and charged with the Felonies of Welfare Fraud in the Third Degree, Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and seven counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree. Following 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, it is alleged that from December 2014 through October 2018, Ms. Ducker filed multiple inaccurate documents with the Department of Social Services resulting in her household receiving $8,538.00 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to which she was not entitled. Ms. Ducker was processed and issued an appearance ticket to appear in Ulster Town Court.
On November 9, 2018, Tammy Dean of Kingston, New York was arrested by Ulster County Sheriff's Deputies and charged with the Felonies of Welfare Fraud in the Third Degree, Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and two counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree. Following 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, it is alleged Ms. Dean filed documents with the Department of Social Services from December 2017 through September 2018, inaccurately reporting her income, which resulted in Ms. Dean receiving $ 4,957.00 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to which she was not entitled. Ms. Dean was processed and issued an appearance ticket to appear in Ulster Town Court.
All reports of suspected fraud will be investigated. A charge is an allegation and is not evidence of guilt, all suspects charged above are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. To contact Ulster County’s dedicated Welfare anti-fraud and abuse hotline, please call 1-855-SIU-TIPS or 1-855-748-8477.
