32 people, most of which are business owners, landlords, and real estate developers, were charged in separate cases with stealing a total of approximately $1 million in welfare benefits from New York City.
According to the indictment released by the Kings County District Attorney’s Office, most of the defendants allegedly misrepresented their source of income, resources and where they live. Claims range from $55,000 to $460,000 of stolen New York Medicaid and Welfare benefits.
Some of the alleged Beneficiaries also purportedly forged and filled forged drug prescriptions with their Medicaid benefits card. Medicaid was inappropriately billed approximately $13,000 for such medications.
Each of the 32 individuals face varying felonies of Welfare Fraud in the 2nd Degree and 3rd Degree, Grand Larceny in the 2nd Degree and 3rd Degree and/or multiple counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing, all of which are punishable by 4 to 15 years in prison.