Ten people charged with welfare fraud
Ten people, including an ex-convict, were charged Tuesday with a variety of felony and misdemeanor welfare fraud charges following joint investigations by the fraud unit of the Jefferson County Department of Social Services and the district attorney's office.
The various investigations allege that a total of $123,182 in benefits was paid on fraudulent claims. Alleged false claims ranged from day-care benefits to public assistance in the forms of food stamps, Medicaid, housing and the Home Energy Assistance Program, or HEAP, according to Stephen J. Eisenhauer, special investigator with the DA's office.
Among the accused is Edward L. Calhoun, 52, of 231 E. Main St., Watertown, who has served four different prison sentences. He is charged with third-degree grand larceny, welfare fraud and misuse of food stamps, involving $4,245 in food stamps and housing assistance between last November and April 30. He was sent without bail to the Metro-Jefferson Public Safety Building by Watertown City Judge James C. Harberson.
His prison record stems from convictions for attempted burglary in 1977; robbery in 1979; burglary and perjury in 1982, and burglary and grand larceny in 2008. He was out on parole from the latest sentence, and is due for a parole hearing in July, according to the state Department of Correctional Services Web site.
Eight women also were arraigned before Judge Harberson and were released without bail. They all await grand jury action.
They are:
■ Valerie A. Nier, 46, of 10 Depot St., Antwerp, third-degree grand larceny, felony misuse of food stamps and 15 counts of first-degree offering a false instrument for filing, for $45,610.63 in public assistance funds, from July 2004 to the end of February.
■ Tammy J. Yerdon, 29, of 13773 Green St., Adams Center, misuse of food stamps, third-degree welfare fraud and 19 counts of first-degree offering a false instrument for filing, for a total of $23,979.77 in HEAP and Medicaid benefits.
■ Susanne H. Jenness, 37, of 539 Water St., Watertown, third-degree welfare fraud and seven counts of first-degree offering a false instrument for filing, involving $22,215.68 for day-care claims.
■ Heather A. Duvall Perkins, 30, of 33 Morley Potsdam Road, Canton, third-degree grand larceny, felony misuse of food stamps and eight counts of first-degree offering a false instrument for filing for $14,847 in HEAP and day-care benefits.
■ Christine M. Wood, 47, of 232 W. Main St., Apt. 22, Watertown, third-degree grand larceny, felony misuse of food stamps, welfare fraud and two counts of first-degree offering a false instrument for filing, for $3,927.99, involvingMedicaid.
■ Veronica L. Empey, 27, of 14559 County Route 76, Adams Center, fourth-degree welfare fraud, felony misuse of food stamps and two counts of first-degree offering a false instrument for filing, for $2,952 in HEAP benefits.
■ Jessica L. Ellsworth, 27, of 203 N. Orchard St., Watertown, welfare fraud, fourth-degree grand larceny and nine counts of first-degree offering a false instrument for filing, involving $2,951 for day care.
■ Renee L. Stokes Clark, 33, Fort Drum, fourth-degree grand larceny, felony misuse of food stamps and welfare fraud, for $1,696.
A 10th person, Catina M. Cooper Hutcheon, 34, of 312 S. Rutland St., Watertown, was not arraigned, and is ordered to appear in City Court. She is charged with first-degree offering a false instrument for filing, fifth-degree welfare fraud and misuse of food stamps, for $757.
