A New York woman is facing felony charges after investigators accused her of using false filings to obtain more than $1,000 in welfare benefits and food stamps.
Audrey Oattes, 36, of Auburn, was arrested by the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office on a felony warrant after a joint fraud investigation, according to Finger Lakes Daily News.
She was charged with grand larceny in the fourth degree, welfare fraud in the fourth degree, offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree, and felony misuse of food stamps.
The charges are allegations. Oattes is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
The Case Centers On Alleged False Filings
The investigation involved the Cayuga County Department of Social Services Case Integrity Unit, the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division, and the Cayuga County District Attorney’s Office.
Finger Lakes Daily News previously reported that Oattes was accused of filing false instruments with intent to defraud and unlawfully obtaining welfare benefits and food stamps valued at more than $1,000.
Under New York law, welfare fraud in the fourth degree applies when a person commits a fraudulent welfare act and obtains public assistance benefits valued at more than $1,000.
New York’s grand larceny statute also uses the $1,000 threshold for fourth-degree grand larceny when the charge is based on the value of the property allegedly stolen.
The Food Stamp Charge Adds A Separate Benefits Allegation
Oattes was also charged with felony misuse of food stamps, according to the sheriff’s office account reported by Finger Lakes Daily News.
New York’s social services law covers the unauthorized use, transfer, acquisition, alteration, purchase, transport, or possession of food stamps, food stamp program coupons, authorization cards, or electronic access devices. The statute makes the offense felony-level when the value of the benefit obtained exceeds $1,000.
Benefits Cases Can Turn On Paperwork And Reporting Rules
The false-instrument charge points to paperwork submitted to a public office or government entity. Under New York law, first-degree offering a false instrument for filing applies when someone knowingly presents a written instrument containing false information, with intent to defraud the state or another public body, and believes it will become part of official records.
In a public-benefits case, that kind of allegation can involve applications, recertification forms, income information, household details, employment records, or other documents used to determine eligibility. The sheriff’s office report did not identify the exact filing at issue in Oattes’ case.
For New York SNAP recipients, the reporting rules depend on the household category. The state’s SNAP change-report form says some households must report certain changes within 10 days after the end of the month in which the change happened, while simplified-reporting households usually report at recertification unless specific exceptions apply.
The state form also says changes can be reported online through myBenefits.ny.gov, by phone, or through the local social services district. Keeping copies, screenshots, notices, and submitted forms can matter if a benefits agency later questions what was reported and when.
She Was Released After Arraignment
Oattes was processed and arraigned in Auburn City Court, according to Finger Lakes Daily News. She was released on her own recognizance after the arraignment.