MONTICELLO — The Sullivan County Welfare Fraud Task Force has brought more than $87,000 in fraud charges and made 25 arrests since its inception in September.

The task force announced four new arrests during a press conference at the County Government Center last week.

Kandiss L. Siegert, 31, of Liberty was arrested on Oct. 17 and charged with 3rd degree welfare fraud and first degree offering a false instrument, both felonies. It's alleged that Siegert stole $4,174.22 in public assistance benefits. Siegert was arraigned in the Town of Liberty court and released pending a future court date.

Juanita Dennison, 54, of South Fallsburg was arrested on Oct. 30 and charged with the same thing - 4th degree welfare fraud and 1st degree offering a false instrument for filing. It's alleged that Dennison stole $1,245 in public assistance benefits. Dennison was released on an appearance ticket in the Town of Liberty Court.

Scott E. Burger, 37, was arrested in Eldred on Nov. 6 and charged with 2nd degree non support of a child, a class A misdemeanor. It is alleged that Burger owes $39,616.84 in unpaid child support. Burger was arraigned in the Town of Liberty Court and remanded to the Sullivan County Jail on $250 bail. Burger's arrest was the result of a joint investigation between the Sullivan County Child Support Unit and the Sullivan County Fraud Taskforce.

Danielle Ladd, 38, was arrested in Liberty on Nov. 9 and charged with criminal possession of a forged instrument, a class D felony, as well as 5th degree attempted welfare fraud, a class B misdemeanor. Ladd was arraigned in the Town of Liberty Court and released pending a future court date.

Division of Family Services Commissioner, Joseph Todora explained that as a percentage of the total business conducted by Social Services, there's really very little fraud that goes on.

He explained that honest mistakes would be treated as such, but intentional fraud would be prosecuted.

“We're very serious that the precious resources we have in our county go to the people who actually deserve them,” Todora said. “There are people who would take advantage of our good intentions, and those are the people we're going after.”

Todora thanked the county legislature and county manager Josh Potosek, as well as the Sheriff's and District Attorney's offices, for their support of the task force.

“We're seeking restitution when appropriate, as well as restitution and arrests when appropiate,” explained Sheriff Michael Schiff. “We're making sure that the people who need these funds get them and that the people who abuse the system get what they deserve.”

Sullivan County District Attorney Jim Farrell said his office will continue to vigorously prosecute those who break the law. “Sullivan County is open for business, but we're not open for fraud,” said Farrell. “We have 75,000 victims every time that fraud occurs in our county.”

?The Department of Social Services has started a confidential 24-hour hotline to report fraud at 845-513-2392.