Ulster County Executive Mike Hein Announces Welfare Fraud And Misuse Of Food Stamp Benefits Arrests

Posted April 13, 2018

Zero Tolerance Continues in Ulster County 

Kingston, N.Y. – Ulster County Executive Mike Hein announces that six arrests were made under the County’s “Zero Tolerance” Anti-Fraud, Waste and Abuse Program.

“Zero tolerance continues to be the policy in Ulster County” said County Executive Hein.  “It is important and necessary to combat Welfare fraud and abuse to make sure that the individuals needing assistance have the benefits available to them.  I appreciate the diligent work of the Department of Social Services, the Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office. It is important to protect the limited pool of benefits that are available for those who truly need them.  Please report any suspicions of fraud or abuse to the Special Investigations Unit by contacting the hotline at 1-855-SIU-Tips.”

Investigations conducted by the Ulster County Department of Social Services Special Investigations Unit (SIU), in conjunction with the Office of the Ulster County District Attorney have resulted in the following arrests:

  • March 27, 2018, Harry Phillips of Kerhonkson, New York, was arrested by the Ulster County Sheriff's Department and charged with Misdemeanor Misuse of Food Stamps Benefits. It is alleged that Mr. Phillips used a SNAP Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card not belonging to him, to access SNAP benefits he was not authorized to obtain, while the owner of the card was incarcerated at the Ulster County Jail.  Social Service Law prohibits the transfer, improper use or possession of a benefit card or accessing SNAP benefits by someone not authorized to access them.  Mr. Phillips was processed and released with an appearance ticket for a future court date.
  • March 28, 2018, Jacob Beilman of Poughkeepsie, New York was arrested by the Ulster County Sheriff's Department and charged with the misdemeanors of Welfare Fraud in the Fifth Degree and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the Second Degree. It is alleged that Mr. Beilman filed an application with the Department of Social Services, which contained misleading information regarding his income.  Mr. Beilman was processed and issued an appearance ticket for Ulster Town Court at a later date.
  • March 29, 2018, Myrtle Davis of Poughkeepsie, New York was arrested by the Ulster County Sheriff's Department and charged with the Misdemeanors of Petit Larceny and Misuse of Food Stamps. It is alleged that Ms. Davis possessed and utilized an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, to access SNAP benefits from an account not belonging to her.  Social Service Law prohibits the transfer, improper use or possession of a benefit card or accessing SNAP benefits by someone not authorized to access them.  Ms. Davis was processed and issued an appearance ticket to appear in court at a later date.
  • March 29, 2018, Mary Bicknell of Saugerties, New York was arrested by the Ulster County Sheriff's Department and charged with the Felonies of Welfare Fraud in the Fourth Degree and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree. It is alleged that that Ms. Bicknell failed to report her income from December 2017 through February 2018. This resulted in Ms. Bicknell receiving $1,139.28 in Temporary Assistance benefits to which she was not entitled.  Ms. Bicknell was processed and released to appear in Ulster Town Court at a future date.
  • April 9, 2018 Taevion Roseberry of Kingston, New York was arrested by the Ulster County Sheriff's Department and charged with two counts of Misdemeanor Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the Second Degree. It is alleged that Ms. Roseberry had submitted falsified documentation in regard to her housing to the Department of Social Services in February 2018.  Ms. Roseberry was processed and released to appear in Ulster Town Court at a future date.
  • April 10, 2018 Christina Shultis of Kingston, New York was arrested by the Ulster County Sheriff's Department and charged with Misdemeanor Welfare Fraud in the Fifth Degree. It is alleged that Ms. Shultis failed to report her correct household composition and income to the Department of Social Services from December 2017 to March 2018.  Due to the undisclosed income, Ms. Shultis received $821.00 in SNAP benefits she was not entitled to.  Ms. Shultis was processed and issued an appearance ticket for Ulster Town Court at a future date.

All reports of suspected fraud will be investigated.  To contact Ulster County’s dedicated Welfare anti-fraud and abuse hotline, please call 1-855-SIU-TIPS or 1-855-748-8477.