Ellenville Woman Accused Of Welfare Fraud

KINGSTON, NY — A welfare fraud arrest was made in Ulster County under the “Zero Tolerance” Anti-Fraud, Waste and Abuse Program. County Executive Mike Hein announced that America De Jesus of Ellenville was arrested Aug. 3 and charged with third-degree welfare fraud, third-degree grand larceny and five counts of offering a false instrument for filing, felonies.

An investigation by the Special Investigations Unit of the Ulster County Department of Social Services, in conjunction with the Office of the Ulster County District Attorney, found that De Jesus allegedly failed to report income from June 2011 to April 2017. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

This resulted in her receiving $5,651.50 in Medicaid funding, $11,601 in SNAP benefits and $5,011 in HEAP benefits to which she was not entitled.

De Jesus was processed and released to appear in Ulster Town Court at a future date.

Hein said it was critical that anyone who steals from the system — taking from those who are truly in need — is brought to justice.

“It is important to continue to be vigilant in protecting our taxpayers and making sure that our resources are available for residents who are in need,” he said.

To contact Ulster County’s dedicated Welfare anti-fraud and abuse hotline, please call 1-855-SIU-TIPS or 1-855-748-8477.

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