Volume 29, Issue 4 NYWFIA NEWS
7
NEW YORK WELFARE FRAUD INVESTIGATOR’S ASSOCIATION NYWFIA NEWS I am pleased to announce the dates and agenda for NYWFIA’s 30th Annual Training Conference. This year’s conference will be held from Monday, June 3rd, through Wednesday, June 5th, at the Villa Roma Conference Center in Callicoon, New York. Guests may register at our discounted rate through May 17th, so please be sure to book early to insure you get the rate. You must also inform the hotel that you are attending the NYWFIA conference. The listed room rate includes breakfast, and is also valid for Sunday night, June 2nd. To register for the conference, please visit our website at www.nywfia.org complete all required information, print, and e-mail or fax your registration to Dan McCann, NYWFIA Treasurer at PO Box 83, Oswego, NY 13126. His fax number is (315) 963-5290 and his e-mail is [email protected] The Conference will begin at 9:00 AM on the June 3rd with welcoming remarks. We are pleased to announce that Acting New York State Inspector General Catherine Leahy Scott is scheduled as our keynote speaker at Monday’s Luncheon. This year’s training courses offer a great mix of instruction on many topics concerning fraud and abuse, and we are excited to have representatives of OCFS who will lead a panel session on using Data Analytics to detect and prevent fraud, as well as sharing ideas for the local district to implement the newest rules and regulations intended to prevent Child Care assistance fraud and abuse. We are also very excited to offer a general session on Tuesday June 4th featuring Christopher J. Rosetti. Christopher is a partner at BST Valuation & Litigation Advisors, LLC, author, professional trainer, Certified Fraud Examiner, and is very distinguished in matters PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Inside This Issue President’s Message 1 Member of the Year 2 Training Seminar News 2 Legislative News 3 Schenectady County 3 Albany County 4 NYC HRA 5 Niagara County 6 Member News 6 NYSFITI 7 related to fraud. Thanks to our partners at the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, Office of Child and Family Services and SUNY Albany’s Professional Development Program for their continuing support of our common goals. Our partners at OTDA and OCFS are again providing 58 full conference registration scholarships respectively. OTDA will be offering an additional 31 Commuter scholarships for any participants who are within 80 miles of Sullivan County. We all realize the amount of time and energy it takes to offer this kind of support to our organization at a time of tightening government budgets, and we are truly thankful. Please contact your local Staff Development Coordinator to apply for these scholarships, which cover the full registration cost of the conference. I would also like to encourage you to get more involved in our organization, whether that be by running for office, working as a regional representative, or merely encouraging your co-workers to join. Our group is the lowest priced professional organization in the country, and offers our greatest membership benefit, the ability to network with other professionals who are engaged in the same tasks you do every day. I am proud to say that whenever I am tasked to look for a new, more efficient way to stop fraud and abuse, the first thing I do is reach out to other members of this group, and ask them how they accomplish similar tasks. We should never be afraid to take advice and ideas from our peers. I am proud of our organization, and thank not only our partners, but your dedicated Executive Board and Regional Representatives who work incredibly hard year round to make this group a success. I look forward to seeing you at the training. Spring, 2013 Volume 29, Issue 4
Transcript of Volume 29, Issue 4 NYWFIA NEWS
NEW YORK WELFARE FRAUD INVESTIGATOR’S ASSOCIATION
NYWFIA NEWS
I am pleased to announce the dates and agenda for NYWFIA’s 30th Annual Training Conference. This year’s conference will be held from Monday, June 3rd, through Wednesday, June 5th, at the Villa Roma Conference Center in Callicoon, New York. Guests may register at our discounted rate through May 17th, so please be sure to book early to insure you get the rate. You must also inform the hotel that you are attending the NYWFIA conference. The listed room rate includes breakfast, and is also valid for Sunday night, June 2nd. To register for the conference, please visit our website at www.nywfia.org complete all required information, print, and e-mail or fax your registration to Dan McCann, NYWFIA Treasurer at PO Box 83, Oswego, NY 13126. His fax number is (315) 963-5290 and his e-mail is [email protected] The Conference will begin at 9:00 AM on the June 3rd with welcoming remarks. We are pleased to announce that Acting New York State Inspector General Catherine Leahy Scott is scheduled as our keynote speaker at Monday’s Luncheon. This year’s training courses offer a great mix of instruction on many topics concerning fraud and abuse, and we are excited to have representatives of OCFS who will lead a panel session on using Data Analytics to detect and prevent fraud, as well as sharing ideas for the local district to implement the newest rules and regulations intended to prevent Child Care assistance fraud and abuse. We are also very excited to offer a general session on Tuesday June 4th featuring Christopher J. Rosetti. Christopher is a partner at BST Valuation & Litigation Advisors, LLC, author, professional trainer, Certified Fraud Examiner, and is very distinguished in matters
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Inside This Issue
President’s Message 1
Member of the Year 2
Training Seminar News 2
Legislative News 3
Schenectady County 3
Albany County 4
NYC HRA 5
Niagara County 6
Member News 6
NYSFITI 7
related to fraud. Thanks to our partners at the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, Office of Child and Family Services and SUNY Albany’s Professional Development Program for their continuing support of our common goals. Our partners at OTDA and OCFS are again providing 58 full conference registration scholarships respectively. OTDA will be offering an additional 31 Commuter scholarships for any participants who are within 80 miles of Sullivan County. We all realize the amount of time and energy it takes to offer this kind of support to our organization at a time of tightening government budgets, and we are truly thankful. Please contact your local Staff Development Coordinator to apply for these scholarships, which cover the full registration cost of the conference. I would also like to encourage you to get more involved in our organization, whether that be by running for office, working as a regional representative, or merely encouraging your co-workers to join. Our group is the lowest priced professional organization in the country, and offers our greatest membership benefit, the ability to network with other professionals who are engaged in the same tasks you do every day. I am proud to say that whenever I am tasked to look for a new, more efficient way to stop fraud and abuse, the first thing I do is reach out to other members of this group, and ask them how they accomplish similar tasks. We should never be afraid to take advice and ideas from our peers. I am proud of our organization, and thank not only our partners, but your dedicated Executive Board and Regional Representatives who work incredibly hard year round to make this group a success. I look forward to seeing you at the training.
Spr ing, 2013
Volume 29, I ssue 4
Nominations are open for Member of the Year until the End of April, 2013. To nominate someone, simply mail a short essay indicating why you think this person should be made member of the year. E-mail the essay in PDF format to 1st Vice President Marie Snyder, or any executive board member or regional representative. A committee of Regional Representatives reviews entries, and sends three names to the executive board for a final vote. The Winner is announced at the Annual Conference Banquet. Last Year’s winner was Matt Wagner of Onondaga County.
Member of the Year Nominations
Summer Training Seminar News
Page 2
NYWFIA NEWS
THE EXECUTIVE BOARD HAS BEEN WORKING HARD
PUTTING TOGETHER THE JUNE TRAINING SEMINAR AT
VILLA ROMA. ONE THING THAT IS DIFFERENT, AND MEMBERS SHOULD
BE AWARE OF, IS THAT THE HOTEL HAS A STRICT DEPOSIT
POLICY FOR ROOMS. WHEN MAKING RESERVATIONS THE
HOTEL WILL CHARGE YOUR CREDIT CARD A DEPOSIT
AMOUNT, WHICH WILL BE USED TOWARDS THE COST OF
YOUR ROOM. THE DEPOSIT MAY ALSO BE PAID BY CHECK.
THE HOTEL WAIVES THE CHARGE IF YOU PROVIDE A NYS
OR COUNTY PURCHASE ORDER. OUR MONDAY NIGHT ACTIVITY GIVES MEMBERS THE
CHOICE OF THREE DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES, AT THREE
DIFFERENT PRICE RANGES.
9 HOLES OF GOLF-$42.50 (INCLUDES CART)
GO CART RIDES-$24.50 (TWO RIDES OF ABOUT 8 MINUTES PER RIDE)
BOWLING-$18.50 (2 GAMES AND SHOE RENTAL INCLUDED)
ALL PRICES PAID BY ATTENDEE, AND INCLUDE: •HAMBURGERS/HOTDOGS/BBQ CHICKEN WITH A CHOICE OF 2 OF THE FOLLOWING: • POTATO SALAD • MACARONI SALAD
• ITALIAN SALAD
Legislative News NY State Senator Tom Libous has asked for support of his Public Assistance Integrity Act, and by executive board vote we have agreed to support this legislation. This means offering a memorandum of support for his bill, and whatever other assistance we can provide as experts in the field. More information on the bill is available here: http://www.tomlibous.com/index.asp?Type=B_PR&SEC={9C7109B7-9774-4EF7-A267-884D40841021}&DE={F6DB2857-D4B6-42F6-B1EB-B5C19E2F08F5} and the full text is available here: http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/S7671-2011 Please contact your State Senator and Assemblyperson and let them know your thoughts on this bill.
Schenectady County
28 felony counts of Welfare Fraud and 2 felony counts of Perjury.. “Welfare Fraud Suspect Facing Perjury Counts” A city woman accused of illegally taking $35,000 in welfare benefits is now facing perjury counts. Bindra Boodhwa, 50 of 1121 Congress St. was arraigned Friday on two separate indictments, one accusing her of the welfare fraud and the other of perjury. She pleaded not guilty to all charges. Boodhwa is accused of taking food stamps and medical benefits for herself and her three children that she wasn’t entitled to from Jan. 1, 2008 through July 31, 2012. She is accused of doing
Page 3 NYWFIA NEWS
so by falsely certifying that the father of her children did not live in her home when he did. Prosecutors alleged the man owned the home a car and had a full-time job. As a Schenectady County grand jury considered those charges last month. Boodhwa chose to testify and, according to the perjury indictment, flatly denied the man ever lived with her and that he ever bought their children food or provided for them in the past 10 years. Boodhwa appeared in court Friday with her attorney. Joseph Litz. She has been free on $3,000 bail since her July arrest, but acting Schenectady County Court Judge Richard Giardino ordered Boodhwa to turn in her passport.
Albany County DA David Soares
Page 4
NYWFIA NEWS
Page 4 NYWFIA NEWS
Albany County welfare fraud arrests jump 23 percent in 2012 The value of welfare fraud ferreted out by the county sheriff's and social services investigators was up more than 50 percent last year, authorities said. The total amount of fraud detected surged to $341,686.23 in 2012 from $225,044.43 the year before — a 51 percent jump, Sheriff Craig Apple said. Meanwhile, the number of arrests jumped from 30 to 37 — a 23 percent increase, Apple said. "We have been aggressively identifying and pursuing subjects who have been cheating social services," Apple said in a statement. County Executive Dan McCoy said the goal of aggressive enforcement is to preserve the benefits for those who are truly in need. "When times are tough, families need a hand up, and that's why our social services programs and benefits exist," McCoy said. "Our investigators have done a tremendous job identifying those who are breaking the law so the money will be there for those who truly need it."
Albany County
County
Hynes announces indictment of attorney for collecting benefits while working. Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes and NYC Human Resources Administration Commissioner Robert Doar on Wednesday announced the indictment of Lesley Ann Lawson, 37, for collecting Medicaid, food stamps, and unemployment insurance benefits, while working as a contract attorney. She is indicted on charges including Welfare Fraud in the Third Degree, Welfare Fraud in the Fourth Degree, Welfare Fraud in the Fifth Degree, Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and others. She could face up to seven years in prison. “It is important to make sure that those who need help are able to receive government benefits to help them survive. Thousands of individuals in NYC rely on assistance such as welfare, rental assistance, cash assistance, unemployment benefits, Medicaid and food stamps. To these individuals, it is the difference between having a place to live, having food on their tables, and having clothes on their backs,” said Hynes. “Unfortunately, there are scammers who try to take advantage of the government and steal funds for which they are ineligible. In essence, they are stealing money from those who are less fortunate.” HRA Commissioner Robert Doar added, “Since the charges also raised questions about Ms. Lawson's honesty and trustworthiness as an attorney, we are referring this matter to the New York State Supreme Court Appellate Division's Second Judicial Department.” Lawson was admitted to practice law in New York in 2005. Starting in 2010, Lawson worked for Hudson Legal, a company that contracts attorneys to big law firms for discovery assistance. From 2010 to 2012, she earned almost $200,000 in salary. She paid for vision and dental benefits through her company. However, she chose to get her medical benefits through Medicaid by misrepresenting her income, according to the indictment. She allegedly reported that her only source of income was unemployment benefits. From March 2010 to February 2011, Lawson also received over $2,000 in Food Stamp benefits for her, her husband, and their child. Once again, according to the indictment, she submitted an application, falsely reporting that she was receiving unemployment
benefits and she had no other source of income. Lawson had been receiving unemployment benefits in 2008 and 2009, but continued to
receive them in 2010 even after she was employed, according to the indictment.
NYWFIA NEWS
Page 5
NYC HRA
NYWFIA.ORG LinkedIn Facebook
Member News It has been a busy year as far as retiring members. Our best wishes go out to the following: Maria Schollenberger-OTDA Fred Buck- Seneca County Mike Patino- HRA Bill Donnelly-OTDA
Fourteen suspects have been arrested in a four-month investigation of alleged welfare fraud in Niagara County. “The cost of welfare in Niagara County continues to be a massive burden for our
taxpayers,” Voutour said. “The Sheriff’s Office will continue to prosecute those who cheat the system.”
NYWFIA NEWS
Page 6
Niagara County
Executive Board Members President Perry Wheeler 585-753-6637 [email protected] 1st Vice President Marie Snyder 585-589-3110 [email protected] 2ndVice President Michael Grennan 516-227-8570 [email protected] 3rd Vice President Diana R. Maldonado 718-901-5886 [email protected] Treasurer Dan McCann 315-963-5454 [email protected] Recording Secretary John Melville 585-753-6888 [email protected] Corresponding Secretary Regina Williams 718-901-5855 [email protected]
New York Welfare Fraud
Investigators Association
PO BOX 83 OSWEGO, NEW YORK 13126
We’re on the Web!
Visit us at:
WWW.NYWFIA.ORG
Regional Representatives
Region One Niagara, Orleans, Erie, Genesee, Wyoming, Chautauqua,
Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties. Mindy Herman, Brian Kane
Region Two
Monroe, Wayne, Livingston, Ontario, Seneca, Yates, Steuben, Schuyler and Chemung Counties.
Mary O’Dea, Fred Buck
Region Three St. Lawrence, Jefferson, Lewis, Oswego, Oneida, Herkimer,
Onondaga, Madison, Cayuga, Tompkins, Cortland, Chenango, Tioga and Broome Counties.
Bob Janas, Lisa Spear
Region Four Franklin, Clinton, Hamilton, Essex, Warren, Washington, Saratoga, Fulton, Montgomery, Schenectady, Rensselaer,
Albany, Otsego, Delaware, Schoharie, Greene, and Columbia Counties.
Kristine Ruggeri, Paula Reid
Region Five Sullivan, Duchess, Ulster, Orange, Putnam, Rockland,
Westchester, Nassau, Suffolk, Bronx, Queens, Kings, New York and Richmond Counties.
Ilene Reff, Heather Griffin
NY Fraud Investigator Training Institute
05/20/2013 - 05/24/2013 Welfare Fraud Investigator Training Institute UPSTATE VERSION NYS Police Academy – Albany SUNY PDP is offering the Welfare Fraud Investigator Training Institute this spring. Please contact your local SDC to sign up through STARS
The registration deadline is 05/02/2013.
