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58 face charges in welfare, unemployment fraud sweep

Fifty-eight people face charges this week after a welfare and unemployment fraud sweep, Oneida County District Attorney Scott D. McNamara said.

The sweep took place Monday through Thursday, McNamara said. Thirty-eight defendants have been arrested, McNamara said.

The amount of money taken from Oneida County is believed to be $323,059.75, McNamara said. Restitution will be sought during the prosecution of these matters, he said.

The charges lodged against the individuals vary but typically involve one or more of the following offenses:

Third-degree grand larceny (Class D felony).

Fourth-degree grand Larceny, (Class E felony).

Fifth-degree welfare fraud (Class A misdemeanor).

Misuse of food tamps (Class A misdemeanor).

Unlawfully receiving public assistance (misdemeanor).

These charges are the result of a long-term investigation by the Investigation Unit of the Oneida County District Attorney's Office.

Charges of welfare fraud were based upon allegations that individuals received public assistance, food stamps, day-care benefits or Medicaid while failing to declare any of the following:

Wages from employment.

Other sources of income such as child support, disability benefits and unemployment benefits.

Household composition.

Residency.

Charges related to unemployment fraud were based upon allegations that individuals received unemployment benefits while receiving undeclared wages from employment at the same time.

Since January, 115 cases of welfare fraud with an estimated $400,000 in wrongfully obtained monies have been referred to the Oneida County District Attorney's Office for investigation and prosecution.

McNamara said those arrested so far are:

Debra Lindsey, 49, Lenox Avenue,Utica.

Scott Fyfe, 35, Richardson Avenue, Utica.

Melissa LaPlante, 29, Brinckerhoff Avenue, Utica.

Kerry Townsend, 33, Stafford Avenue, Waterville.

Meegan Garnsey, 30, Green Street, Utica.

Holly Evanciew, 22, Lenox Avenue, Utica.

Pamela Bulger, 43, Moran Post Road, Camden.

John Thomas, 27, Herkimer Road, Utica.

Joanne Clawson, 42, Soule Road, Holland Patent.

Michael Amond, 23, Baker Avenue, Utica.

Alan Spangeburg, Beach Road, Cleveland.

Refik Kazaferovic, 46, Steele Place, Utica.

Joann Vivacqua, 58, Herkimer Road, Utica.

Pamela Brown, 51, Francis Street, Utica.

Stacie Hepburn, 44, Whitesboro Street, Utica.

Joseph Leone, 58, Pearl Street, New Hartford.

Cyndi Wilson, 38, Broad Street, Oriskany Falls.

James Wilson, 43, S. Main Street, Oriskany Falls.

Bridget Allen, 46, Bull Road, Utica.

Jose Vasquez, 41, Blandina Street, Utica.

Tai Wilson, 26, E. Dominick Street, Rome.

Stephen Roberts, 51, Bunker Avenue, Yorkville.

Hamin Beyeh, 55, Howard Avenue, Utica.

Oare Smith, 36, Howard Avenue, Utica.

Nelida Rodriquez, 26, Boyce Avenue, Utica.

Patricia Croniser, 27, Deeley Avenue, Blossvale.

Clinton Borden, 59, Tudman Road, Westmoreland.

Dawn Andrews, 35, Division Street, Forestport.

Edmund LaBuz, 44, Kriswood Lane, Rome.

Monique Greene, 35, Schuyler Street, Utica.

Kimberly Kelsey, 35, Post Street, Boonville.

Ida Cook, 47, Baker Avenue, Utica.

Taheerah Warmack, 30, Aiken Street, Utica.

Randa Aiken, 46, Henry Street, Utica.

Donna Brandon, 34, Auburn Avenue, Utica.

Marc Bristol, 24, Clementian Street,Utica.

Jessica Stolo, 25, Smith Street, Hinckley.

Luis Rivera, 27, Oswego Street, Utica.