FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT
DATE: OCTOBER 29, 2019
RE: PRESS RELEASE – WELFARE ARRESTS
On October 29, 2019, Maria Whitbeck, age 54 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 & four 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 September 2017 and September 2019, Ms. Whitbeck had filed 4 recertifications with the Department of Social Services, not disclosing that she was receiving Social Security Income, resulting in Ms. Whitbeck receiving $4,146.00 in SNAP benefits that she was not entitled to.
Ms. Whitbeck was processed and released with an appearance ticket for Ulster Town Court.
On October 9, 2019, Stacey Jacobs age 37, of Pine Hill, NY, was arrested by Ulster County Sheriff's Deputies and charged with the misdemeanors of Welfare Fraud 5th degree and 2 counts of Misuse of Food Stamps.
An investigation conducted by the Ulster County Dept of Social Services Special Investigation Unit, along with the Office of the Ulster County District Attorney, revealed that Ms. Jacobs had accessed SNAP benefits of an incarcerated individual between March and April 2019. Ms. Jacobs obtained $384.60 in SNAP benefits not belonging to her. Ms. Jacobs was processed and released with an appearance ticket for Ulster Town Court.
On October 9, 2019, Alida Brown age 35, 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 the misdemeanor of Attempted Welfare Fraud 5th 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 Ms. Brown had submitted falsified income and employment records to the Department of Social Services for eligibility for SNAP benefits. Ms. Brown was processed and released with an appearance ticket for Ulster Town Court.