BUFFALO, N.Y. — A State Supreme Court Judge has found a Buffalo woman guilty for welfare fraud.
Hon. Debra Givens found Carmella Miller, 39, guilty Tuesday of one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and one count of Welfare Fraud in the Third Degree.
According to the Erie County District Attorney's Office, from March 2018 to February 2020, Miller knowingly and intentionally committed welfare fraud by concealing her marriage, cohabitation and her spouse's income so that she can obtain Supplemental Nutritional Assistance (SNAP) benefits.
“This public assistance benefit program is reserved for low-income individuals and families who truly need help paying for food and other basic needs. I want to thank the Office of the New York State Inspector General and Erie County Department of Social Services for their work in this investigation. Together, we will continue to hold those who fraudulently obtain these benefits accountable,” said Acting Erie County District Attorney Mike Keane in a press release.
Investigators say Miller fraudulently obtained more than $6,400 in benefits she was not entitled to during those four years.
“This case highlights our continued commitment to upholding the integrity of public assistance programs like SNAP,” said New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang. “As we did here with our partner agencies, the Offices of the New York State Inspector General will continue to ensure accountability for anyone who would bilk taxpayers out of resources that rightly belong to hungry and struggling New Yorkers.”
Miller faces up to seven years in prison when she is sentenced in January. She is currently released on her own recognizance.
