CARMEL – A Kent woman is facing state prison for allegedly receiving $31,000 in welfare benefits for which she was not entitled.
The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of Kimberly Nieves, 35, Monday on charges of welfare fraud.
Undersheriff Thomas Lindert said in March, investigators were advised by the Putnam County Department of Social Services that one of its clients appeared to be claiming benefits for rent payments over a three-year period when they were not entitled to them. “Investigators worked with members of the Putnam County District Attorney’s Office and Social Services to gather evidence and put together a case. Ms. Nieves was contacted and surrendered to authorities being charged with one felony count of welfare fraud and 12 felony counts of offering a false instrument for filing.”
She was arraigned before Kent Town Justice Kevin Douchkoff and was released without bail pending future court action.
The top charge is a felony under the state’s penal code carrying a maximum seven-year state prison term if found guilty.
