FIVE CHARGED WITH $46K WELFARE FRAUD

Rockland County District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe announced on Friday five Rockland women were arrested on charges of defrauding the welfare system.

Zugibe alleged the women used “deceit and fraud to feign a need for rent support and other public benefits.”

Money intended to help those in need instead went toward greed.

“Thanks to the diligent actions of investigators, the alleged free ride for these cheats is over,” the DA said.

The Rockland County District Attorney’s Office Special Investigations Unit and the Rockland County Department of Social Services’ Special Investigations Unit has been working on welfare fraud enforcement, the DA’s Office stated.

Rockland County Executive Ed Day said, “As I have been saying since I became county executive, we will stop at nothing to root out public corruption in every corner of this county. It is critical that our agencies work together to protect the taxpayers of Rockland.”

Jermika Depas (DOB 03/06/86) of 25 South Madison Avenue, Spring Valley, New York has been indicted by a Rockland County Grand Jury for the following crimes:

• One count of Welfare Fraud in the Third Degree, a class “D” Felony

• Three counts of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the First Degree, class “E” Felonies

• Three counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, class “E” Felonies

Depas was arrested on 01/25/18. She is accused of submitting false documents to the Department of Social Services claiming she was paying rent when, in fact, she was not. According to the charges, the defendant forged her landlord’s signature on documents submitted to DSS. Depas received an overpayment in excess of $5,000 as a result of the alleged ruse.

Leah Bishop (DOB 05/77/88) of 41 Ewing Avenue, Apt. A1, Spring Valley, New York was arrested on 09/07/17 and charged with Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree. According to the charges, Bishop failed to report the full extent of her income to DSS and, as such, received an overpayment of benefits exceeding $7,000.

Carolyn McLean (DOB 02/22/55) of 94 Main Street, Apt. 301, Spring Valley, New York was arrested on 10/25/17 and charged with Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree. She is accused of not reporting the full extent of her income to DSS and, as such, received an overpayment of benefits exceeding $8,000.

Elena Cineas (DOB 03/18/89) of 191 Pascack Road, Apt. 1, Nanuet, New York was arrested on 12/19/17 and charged with Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree and Welfare Fraud in the Fifth Degree. She is accused of not reporting the full extent of her income to DSS and, as such, received an overpayment of benefits exceeding $3,000.

Young Jin Chun (DOB 03/06/61 ) of 62 DeBaun Avenue, Airmont, New York was arrested on 12/19/17 and charged with Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree. She is accused of failing to report the extent of her income to DSS and, as such, received an overpayment of benefits exceeding $23,000.

Zugibe ended his press release with a reminder of American due process: “It should be noted a criminal complaint is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.”