Seven residents of a Nyack Housing Authority complex in Central Nyack are being arraigned in court today and charges they stole more than $300,000 from the government by filing false housing applications and hiding income.
Several others are still being sought in the probe which started several months ago based on tips that came from residents of the housing authority's Waldron Terrace complex.
Officials said the investigation should eventually led to apartment units being opened up for occupancy by legitimately qualified tenants who are on the housing authority's waiting list — estimated at more than 200 families.
“This crackdown is yet another step in our continuing campaign to stop fraud and abuse of our public assistance system in Rockland County," Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Zugibe said. "These arrests underscore our commitment to improve the quality of life for the residents of Nyack. Those who steal money intended to help struggling individuals and families will be marked for arrest, prosecution and prison sentences.”
Executive Assistant District Attorney Gary Lee Heavner said among those arrested today in raids on five apartments were residents who were illegally renting rooms out to others and resident who hid assets such as employment income and bank accounts to obtain public housing. He said that Clarkstown police believe that individuals targeted in the investigation may have also been linked to some violent incidents recently at or near the complex.
The seven arrested today - who range in age from 26 to 55 - are accused of stealing more than $300,000 from, and for falsifying applications submitted to, the Village of Nyack Housing Authority and the Rockland County Department of Social Services between 2002 and 2012, making it possible for each to fraudulently receive a variety of public assistance benefits, including federal and state housing subsidies, food stamps and Medicaid assistance.
“The success of today’s search warrants and arrests demonstrates the superior commitment level of the state and local law enforcement officers and special agents from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of the Inspector General," said Cary Rubenstein, special agent in charge at HUD's Inspector General office. "When individuals fraudulently misrepresent their income and/or family composition to secure rental assistance from HUD, we participate in operations like the one today, to ensure these individuals, who at times can bring a criminal element into HUD Subsidized Housing, are brought to justice. Every HUD subsidized household has the right to safe, decent and sanitary housing.”
Rockland County Social Services Commissioner Susan Sherwood said arrests such as today's will help encourage others to report fraud.
"This clearly illustrates the importance of our relationship with our community partners, whether they are other county agencies like the District Attorney's Office; or businesses; or residents, in identifying suspected welfare fraud," said Sherwood. "It is crucial that we all take an active role in identifying fraud; and I encourage others to contact us if they know of or suspect fraudulent activities."
Zugibe said Clarkstown police and Rockland County Special Investigations Unit have been working with the Village of Nyack Housing Authority, the Central Nyack Civic Association and local residents to reduce crime and other quality of life issues impacting the Waldron Terrace Housing Complex.
Through information received from community members, investigators learned of individuals living in the housing complex illegally. A closer examination found multiple instances of people fraudulently receiving housing and other public assistance benefits.
In executing five court-authorized search warrants at addresses on High View Court and Pine Street in Nyack, Heavner said detectives recovered evidence of the defendants’ jobs, income, living expenses and residency. He said evidence of unauthorized persons co-habitating at the various locations was also discovered.
Charged filed today include Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a class “D” Felony, Welfare Fraud in the Fourth Degree, a class “E” Felony and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class “E” Felony.
A class “D” Felony is punishable by 2 1/3 to 7 years in prison and a class “E” Felony is punishable by up to 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison.
The following individuals were arrested today:
Samuel Sisco, 29
128B Rt. 202, Pomona
- PL. 158.10 Welfare fraud in the fourth degree; PL. 175.35 Offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree
Catherine Downing Sisco, 54
32 Highview Ct, Nyack
- PL. 155.35 Grand larceny in the third degree; PL. 175.35 Offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree
Patricia Solomon, 41
26 Highview Ct, Nyack, NY
- PL. 155.35 Grand larceny in the third degree; PL. 175.35 Offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree
Veloura Parker, 54
7 Highview Ct, Nyack
-PL. 155.35 Grand larceny in the third degree; PL. 175.35 Offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree
Melissa Castillo, 25
38 Pine St., Nyack
-PL. 155.35 Grand larceny in the third degree; PL. 175.35 Offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree. She was arraigned before Judge Howard Gerber in Clarkstown Town Court and bail was set at $1,000 pending a hearing on Monday.
Joan Christopher, 46
38 Pine St., Nyack
-PL. 155.35 Grand larceny in the third degree; PL. 175.35 Offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree. She was arraigned by Gerber and bail was set at $1,000 pending a hearing on Monday.
Quenetta Gulifield, 48
11 Highview Ct, Nyack
- PL. 155.35 Grand larceny in the third degree; PL. 175.35 Offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree
How about you play the system you get caught! Bunch of idiots thinking they can scam the world. So not right. I see that these people have no morales and their kids are going to learn right from them. Too bad