Fraud Task Force Announces Arrests

Liberty, NY – The Sullivan County Welfare Fraud Task Force has made the following arrests: 

• March 12 – Bridget K. Sattler, 34, of Monticello was arrested and charged with the Class E Felony of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree and Theft of Services, a Class A Misdemeanor. It is alleged that Sattler stole $816.52 by taking Medicaid Transportation for non-medical reasons and then filing fraudulent vouchers for the trips. Sattler was released on an appearance ticket to appear in the Town of Liberty Court at a later date.

• March 16 – Melanie I. Powell, 41, of White Sulphur Springs was arrested and charged with the Class E Felony of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree and Theft of Services, a Class A Misdemeanor. It is alleged that Powell stole $985.98 by taking Medicaid Transportation for non-medical reasons and then filing fraudulent vouchers for the trips. Powell was released on an appearance ticket to appear in the Town of Liberty Court at a later date.

• March 24 – Joshua T. Lessard, 37, of Monticello was arrested on an outstanding Parole Violation Warrant issued for violating the conditions of his Parole. Lessard was remanded to the Sullivan County Jail pending a Parole Hearing. 

• March 31 – A joint investigation with members of the New York State Department of Financial Services Frauds Bureau and Sullivan County Welfare Fraud Task Force has resulted in the arrest of Roy L. Elliot, 54, of Monticello and Bertha L. Greene, 56, of Liberty. Both Elliot and Greene were arrested and charged with the Class C Felony of Forgery in the First Degree, the Class E Felony of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, the Class E Felony of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, the Class E Felony of Welfare Fraud in the Fourth Degree, the Class E Felony of Misuse of Food Stamps in the Fourth Degree and the Class A Misdemeanor of Conspiracy in the Fifth Degree. Elliot and Greene allegedly conspired to forge a SNAP re-certification document and continued to collect benefits in Elliot’s name in the amount of $1,950, even though Elliot was incarcerated at the Sullivan County Jail and ineligible for services. Both were arraigned in the Town of Liberty Court. Elliot was returned to the Sullivan County Jail, and Greene was released on her own recognizance. Both Elliot and Greene are scheduled to return to the Town of Liberty Court at a later date.