3 Arrested on Welfare Fraud Charges in Ulster County

Three people were arrested following investigations into alleged welfare fraud in Ulster County.

On Tuesday, Maria Whitbeck, 54, of Kingston was arrested by Ulster County Sheriff's deputies and charged with the felonies of welfare fraud grand larceny and four counts of offering a false instrument for filing.

An investigation conducted by the Ulster County Department of Social Services Special Investigation Unit, in conjunction with the Office of the Ulster County District Attorney, discovered that between September 2017 and September 2019, Whitbeck filed four recertifications with the Department of Social Services, not disclosing that she was receiving Social Security Income, resulting in Ms. Whitbeck receiving $4,146.00 in SNAP benefits that she was not entitled to, officials say.

On Oct. 9, 2019, 37-year-old Stacey Jacobs of Pine Hill was charged with welfare fraud and misuse of food stamps. Police allege Jacobs used SNAP benefits of an incarcerated person between March and April 2019.

Also on Oct. 9, 35-year-old Alida Brown of Kingston was arrested by Ulster County Sheriff's deputies and charged with the felony of offering a false instrument for filing and the misdemeanor of attempted welfare fraud.

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An investigation revealed that Brown allegedly submitted falsified income and employment records to the Department of Social Services for eligibility for SNAP benefits.

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