Today Erie County District Attorney, John Flynn announced the arrest of three private health care aides for welfare fraud.
49-year-old Suzanne Smith of Buffalo, 30-year old Michelle Dudek of Buffalo, and 44-year-old Kelly Foss of Alden all accused of not reporting tens of thousands of dollars in income in order to collect more than 100,000 in food stamps and Medicaid benefits.
“When something like this happens this cast a bad light on everyone who is in need of these services,” Flynn said.
Disabled Marine Veteran, David Osinski receives food stamps. It upsets him to know there are some people who are trying to beat the system, when so many people like him need it.
“It’s just completely wrong and the people that do it know that there is a way out of that. There are other things that they could do besides having a criminal record,” Osinski said.
Sandy’s daughter receives benefits. She says although it’s wrong, she understands why some people may sell food stamps or get paid under the table for work while receiving assistance.
“Sometimes you have to make ends meet in certain ways a lot of people don’t like to do it. But sometimes it has to happen like that,” Sandy said.
But Catherine Carrion a mother of four who just rectified for her benefits fins it disturbing.
“It affects everyone when people you know lie and say they need help, when they actually don’t,” Carrion said.
