Four Charged With Defrauding Social Services

Four men were arrested after they allegedly falsely collected about $72,000 in shelter benefits from the Nassau County Department of Social Services.

Anthony Carter, 24, of Mastic; Joseph Gioe, 53, of East Rockaway; Freeman Cox, 47, of Hempstead and Anthony Williams, 50, of Roosevelt have been charged with third-degree welfare fraud, third-degree grand larceny and third-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument. Cox is additionally charged with fourth-degree welfare fraud and fourth-degree grand larceny. If convicted of the top count, the defendants face up to seven years in prison.

“Those who abuse shelter benefits steal from taxpayers and compromise essential services for families who need a roof over their head during hard times,” said District Attorney Madeline Singas. “These defendants allegedly submitted bogus receipts and pocketed unauthorized reimbursements and we will aggressively prosecute them.”

A review of documents submitted to the Department of Social Services by the defendants revealed several “unusual looking” receipts. An investigation by DSS concluded that the receipts submitted by the four individuals were allegedly fraudulent because they were either fabricated or doctored. The allegedly doctored receipts had amounts and dates changed to make it appear that the clients stayed at the hotel, when they had not. In some cases, the amount was allegedly changed on the receipt to gain more money from DSS than the amount the hotel charged. After it was discovered that four homeless clients’ receipts were allegedly falsified, DSS referred the case to the NCDA.

DSS is responsible for providing shelter benefits to those in need. If shelter arrangements cannot be made, DSS clients receive money for hotel stays from the agency on what is the equivalent to an Electronic Benefit Card (EBT). It is the policy of the district attorney's office, as part of the disposition of these cases, to require all DSS clients who are accused of fraudulently obtaining benefits to pay back the full amount they are accused of stealing.

Carter is accused of allegedly altering motel receipts he submitted to DSS to reflect a higher rate than he was paying and receiving $16,359.45 in shelter benefits from July 21, 2014 through March 21, 2016. He was arrested March 3 and is due back in court May 4.

Gioe allegedly altered motel receipts he submitted to DSS to reflect a higher rate than he was paying and received $30,716.78 in shelter benefits from June 18, 2015 through March 30, 2016. He was arrested Febr. 28 and is due back in court April 27.

Cox allegedly altered motel receipts he submitted to DSS to reflect a higher rate than he was paying and received $12,600.00 in shelter benefits three separate times: from Oct. 23, 2014 through Nov. 19, 2014; March 19, 2015 through April 9, 2015; and May 29, 2015 through Aug. 26, 2015. He was arrested March 6 and is due back in court March 22.

Williams allegedly altered motel receipts he submitted to DSS to reflect a higher rate than he was paying and received $12,386.69 in shelter benefits two separate times: from Sept. 25, 2013 through Sept. 23, 2014 and Nov. 27, 2015 through May 18, 2016. He was arrested Feb. 28 and is due back in court May 11.

Arrest warrants have been issued for two others that are accused of defrauding DSS.

“The overwhelmingly vast majority of individuals who require and qualify for DSS assistance comply honestly with the benefit requirements," said DSS Commissioner John Imhof. "Regretfully, there are those who seek to acquire benefits through criminal means; however, our capacity to apprehend those who attempt to defraud the system is stronger than ever. Our social service investigators will continue working towards identifying abuses and continuing our excellent relationship with the DA’s office.”

Clockwise, from top left, are Joseph Gioe, Anthony Williams, Freeman Cox and Anthony Williams. Photos: District Attorney's Office.