FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT
DATE: JULY 18, 2019
RE: PRESS RELEASE – WELFARE FRAUD ARRESTS
SEAN WESTLAKE: On July 16, 2019, Sean Westlake, age 59 of Kingston, NY, was arrested by Ulster County Sheriff's Deputies and charged with the felony of Offering a False Instrument for Filing 1st degree and misdemeanor Welfare Fraud 5th degree.
An investigation conducted by the Ulster County Department of Social Services Special Investigation Unit, along with the Office of the Ulster County District Attorney, discovered that between January 2019 and May 2019, Mr. Westlake did not disclose his rental income, nor his income from employment and filed a SNAP Recertification with the Department of Social Services not indicating the income. Due to the undisclosed income, Mr. Westlake received $790.00 in SNAP benefits he was not entitled to. Mr. Westlake was processed and issued an appearance ticket for Ulster Town Court.
WALTER KAMINSKI: On July 15, 2019, Walter Kaminski, age 71 of Napanoch, NY, was arrested by Ulster County Sheriff's Deputies and charged with the felonies of Welfare Fraud 3rd degree, Grand Larceny 3rd degree and 2 counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing 1st degree.
An investigation conducted by the Ulster County Department of Social Services Special Investigation Unit, along with the Office of the Ulster County District Attorney, discovered that Mr. Kaminski had filed 2 application/recertification documents with the Department of Social Services, not revealing that he was self-employed/owner of a medical transportation business, which resulted in Mr. Kaminski receiving $3,588.00 in SNAP benefits from December 2018 through June 2019 that he was not entitled to. Mr. Kaminski was processed and issued appearance tickets for Ulster Town Court.
SEAN BOLAND: On July 11, 2019, Sean Boland, age 37 of Saugerties, NY, was arrested by Ulster County Sheriff's Deputies and charged with the felonies of Welfare Fraud 3rd degree and 4 counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing 1st degree.
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, revealed that Mr. Boland filed both SNAP and Temporary Assistance applications, not disclosing to the Department of Social Services the fact that he was employed by a local carpet company, which resulted in Mr. Boland receiving $6,323.00 in Temporary Assistance benefits between July 2018 and May 2019 that he was not entitled to. Mr. Boland was processed and issued appearance tickets for Ulster Town Court.
ALFRED DEGROAT: On July 5, 2019, Alfred Degroat, age 42 of Port Ewen, NY, was arrested by Ulster County Sheriff's Deputies and charged with the misdemeanor of Welfare Fraud 5th degree.
An investigation conducted by the Ulster County Department of Social Services Special Investigation Unit and Housing Unit, in conjunction with the Office of the Ulster County District Attorney, discovered that Mr. Degroat had repeatedly signed housing documents filed with the Department of Social Services, which contained false information and allowed unauthorized clientele to reside with him in a motel room, which was specifically provided to Mr. DeGroat to shelter him alone, by the Department of Social Services. Mr. Degroat was processed and issued an appearance ticket for Ulster Town Court.
JASON CAVALLARO: On June 28, 2019, Jason Cavallaro, age 33 of Kingston, NY, was picked up on an arrest warrant by Saugerties Police and turned over to the Ulster County Sheriff's Department, charging him with felony Offering a False Instrument for Filing 2nd degree and Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument 2nd degree.
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, discovered that in November 2018, Mr. Cavallaro had recertified for SNAP benefits, falsified information on an employment information form and then forged his employers signature, which he then presented to the Department of Social Services. Mr. Cavallaro, who had been given an opportunity to surrender himself, but refused to do so, was arraigned in Ulster Town Court and remanded to the Ulster Co. Jail in lieu of $10,000.00 bail, pending a reappearance in Town Court.
TAMMY BROWN: On June 19, 2019, Tammy Brown, age 56 of Kingston, NY, was arrested by Ulster County Sheriff's Deputies and charged with the felonies of Welfare Fraud 3rd degree and 6 counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing 1st degree.
An investigation conducted by the Ulster County Department of Social Services Special Investigation Unit, along with the Office of the Ulster County District Attorney, revealed that Ms. Brown had filed multiple SNAP applications with the Department of Social Services between April 2013 and May 2018, not disclosing that she was gainfully employed as a Day Care Provider, resulting in Ms. Brown receiving $8,459.00 in SNAP benefits that she was not entitled to. Ms. Brown was processed and issued appearance tickets for Ulster Town Court.
CAROL LaPORTE: On June 20, 2019, Carol LaPorte, age 64 of Kingston, NY, was arrested by Ulster County Sheriff's Deputies and charged with the felonies of Welfare Fraud 3rd degree, Grand Larceny 3rd degree & 3 counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the 1st degree.
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, discovered that between January 2016 and July 2018 Ms. LaPorte had filed 3 applications for assistance with the Department of Social Services, not disclosing her rental income or her income from self-employment, resulting in Ms. LaPorte receiving $3,836.00 in SNAP benefits, $2,076.00 in Home Energy Assistance benefits and $3,975.00 in Heating Equipment Replacement benefits that she was not entitled to. Ms. LaPorte processed and issued appearance tickets for Ulster Town Court.