NEW CITY – A West Haverstraw man has been arrested for making fraudulent transactions using social services benefits.
A joint investigation by the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office Special Investigations Unit and the county Department of Social Services led to the arrest of 56-year-old Manuel Diaz-Soriano.
He was charged with the felonies of welfare fraud and grand larceny stemming from an ongoing investigation into the fraudulent use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
Diaz-Soriano was allegedly using other program recipients’ information to purchase merchandise for himself.
Following his arrest, he was released on an appearance ticket pending a future court appearance.
“The Department of Social Services, working with the District Attorney’s Office, is committed to identifying and eliminating fraud in either the obtaining or use of government provided benefits,” said Social Services Commissioner Joan Silvestri. “Government supports are to aid our most vulnerable residents. We have a zero tolerance for those that misuse or fraudulently enrich themselves by accessing benefits they are not entitled to receive.”
