GOSHEN – A total of 25
people have been charged with felonies including welfare fraud and grand
larceny, for illegally obtaining over $275,000 in public assistance benefits
from the Orange County Social Services Department.
One woman, from Albania, ripped off the county to the tune of $32,531
in public assistance and food stamp benefits. A warrant has been issued
for the arrest of Katrine Kronaj, 74, whose whereabouts are unknown.
Pale Kronaj, 84, also of Albania, is also charged with collecting $32,531
illegally. His whereabouts are also unknown.
It is alleged the pair traveled to Orange County from their home in Albania
to recertify for public benefits and that they public benefits card was
then used by others in Orange County after they returned to Albania.
Mary Donoghue, 68, of Ireland, collected $6,075 in food stamp benefits
illegally. Her whereabouts are also unknown.
Authorities are also looking for Lana Jones (Brewer), 39, of Middletown
for illegally collecting $3,008 in food stamps illegally. Milciandes Lerelbous,
46, with no known address, is wanted for illegally collecting $7,666 in
food stamps.
Deana Savoy, 31, of Middletown, illegally collected $24,883 in food stamp
benefits.
The other 19 people, all from Orange County, have been arrested.
The county Department of Social Services, DA’s Office and Sheriff’s
Office investigated the cases.
This is the eighth public benefits fraud enforcement action since DA David
Hoovler began them in June 2014. DSS has collected some $230,000 from
the recipients who voluntarily paid back benefits to which they were not
entitled.
