Ulster County’s “Zero Tolerance” Program
Kingston, N.Y. – Ulster County Executive Mike Hein announces that three arrests were made under the County’s “Zero Tolerance” Anti-Fraud, Waste and Abuse Program.
“Ulster County remains vigilant in protecting the benefits available for those who truly need them in our community,” said Ulster County Executive Mike Hein. “Our `Zero Tolerance´ program continues to be successful thanks to the coordinated efforts of our Department of Social Services Investigative Unit, the Offices of District Attorney Holley Carnright and Ulster County Sheriff Paul Van Blarcum. I urge our residents to report any suspicions of fraud or abuse to the Special Investigations Unit by contacting the hotline at 1-855-SIU-Tips.”
Jenna Fabbie of Sebastian, Florida, formerly of Lake Katrine, New York, was arrested on April 14, 2017 by the Cocoa Beach Police Dept. in the State of Florida, on an outstanding arrest warrant out of Ulster County, New York. Ms. Fabbie was extradited back to Ulster County on April 26, 2017, to face charges of Welfare Fraud in the Third Degree (one count), Offering a False Instrument for Filing (6 counts) and Grand Larceny in the Third Degree (one count), all felonies. An investigation which had been conducted by the Ulster County Department of Social Services Special Investigation Unit, in conjunction with the Office of the Ulster County District Attorney, had discovered Ms. Fabbie had repeatedly falsified temporary assistance applications and re-certifications from March 2013 to December 2015. Additionally, she failed to report earned income during that period. Ms. Fabbie received a total of $14,521.50 in Temporary Assistance and SNAP benefits that she was not entitled to receive for that time period. Ms. Fabbie was arraigned in Ulster Town Court and remanded to the Ulster County Jail on $10,000 bail, pending reappearance at Ulster Town Court.
John Phillips of Olivebridge, New York was arrested on April 25, 2017 by the Ulster County Sheriff’s Department and charged with Welfare Fraud in the Fourth Degree and Offering a False Instrument for Filing. An investigation conducted by the Ulster County Department of Social Services Special Investigation Unit (SIU), in conjunction with the Office of the Ulster County District Attorney discovered that Mr. Phillips failed to report income from November 2016 through April 2017. This resulted in Mr. Phillips receiving $1,958.00 in Temporary Assistance and SNAP benefits to which he was not entitled. Mr. Phillips was processed and released to reappear in Ulster Town Court at a future date.
Genevieve Thomas of Kingston, New York was arrested on April 25, 2017 by the Ulster County Sheriff’s Department and charged with Welfare Fraud in the Fourth Degree and Offering a False Instrument for Filing. An investigation conducted by the Ulster County Department of Social Services Special Investigation Unit (SIU), in conjunction with the Office of the Ulster County District Attorney discovered that Ms. Thomas failed to report income from May 2016 through March 2017. This resulted in Ms. Thomas receiving $2,134.00 in SNAP benefits to which she was not entitled. Ms. Thomas 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.
