SCHENECTADY Welfare, prescription fraud charges lodged after sweep BY STEVEN COOK Gazette Reporter
Several people were arrested Friday, accused of taking social services benefits to which they weren’t entitled. One of them also was charged with forging prescriptions. Theresa Paturso, 42, of 1319 Trinity Ave., was accused of possessing the forged prescriptions, as well as lying to social services, getting extra benefits, according to papers filed in court. Paturso faces two counts each of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument and fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, as well as multiple counts of first-degree offering a false instrument for filing. ............>>>>................>>>>.............http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01303&AppName=1
What about the alleged recipients who are receiving welfare benefits who don't live here?
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Five more people have been arrested on welfare fraud charges, following arrests during a sweep late last week. Tamieka Starling, 42, of Victory Avenue, faces one count of third-degree welfare fraud and three counts of first-degree offering a false instrument for filing. She allegedly failed to tell Social Services she was receiving income from day care work, resulting in her receiving $50,955 in benefits she wasn’t entitled to, police said. Tracy Jaquish, 31, of Brandywine Avenue, faces one count of fourth-degree grand larceny, a felony. Jaquish is accused of receiving day care benefits for hours she was not at work from September 2008 to July 2009, resulting in her receiving $2,384 in benefits she wasn’t entitled to. Jacqueline Gines, 29, and Jorge Cruz, Jr., of McClellen Street, face charges they received $3,433 in food stamp benefits they weren’t entitled to. They are charged with one count of third-degree welfare fraud and first-degree offering a false instrument for filing. They allegedly received the benefits from December 2008 through July 2009 after failing to report income from unemployment benefits, police said. .............>>>>.................>>>>...................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01202&AppName=1
It may be time to offer amnesty from prosecution to those who come forward and admit to fraudulently filing for and receiving benefits. They should be required to repay the funds received. Such an offering, in the midst of this ongoing "sweep", may entice some to come forward. The investigation should continue. Those who don't come forward and who are identified as receiving benefits to which they are not entitled should be prosecuted and, if found guilty, punished to the fullest extent allowed by law. This "carrot and stick" approach may yield benefits in reducing the spending for mandated social services.
I commend those who are conducting this effort to identify those engaging in welfare fraud and bringing them to justice. In doing so, they are serving the interests of the taxpaying residents and enforcing the laws of the land.
I am pleased to hear that someone is 'finally' looking into the fraud that is so prevalent in our welfare system. I hope we read more about these findings and that these people, if guilty, are held accountable.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
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