Police: Dutchess County Man Arrested For Welfare Fraud

The Dutchess County Sheriff's have arrested a Poughkeepie man for welfare fraud, after he falsely collected close to $40,000 in benefits, allegedly.  

Following an investigation, Michael J. McGinness, 41, of Poughkeepsie, NY was arrested for welfare fraud. 

The investigation was conducted by the the Dutchess County sheriff's Office in conjunction with the Special Investigations Unit of the Dutchess County Community and Family Services Department.

The investigation revealed that McGinness received roughly $35,527 in SNAP benefits between February 2009 and September 2014. McGinness is accused of stealing the benefits by hiding the fact that he had other outside income. That would have made him ineligible to collect.

McGinness was arrested and charged with Welfare Fraud third-degree, a felony. He was arraigned in the City of Poughkeepsie Court and released on his own recognizance.

McGinness is due back in court at a later date.