Taxi driver from Chaumont cited with welfare fraud

A self-employed taxi driver failed to report his earnings last year while collecting public assistance and food stamp benefits, the fraud unit of the Jefferson County Department of Social Services alleges.

Dennis J. Maitland, 46, of 11424 Route 12E, Chaumont, surrendered Tuesday to Watertown police to be charged with first-degree offering a false instrument for filing, welfare fraud, misuse of food stamps and petit larceny. He was released without bail by Watertown City Judge Eugene R. Renzi to await prosecution.

According to documents filed with the court by DSS, Mr. Maitland received benefits amounting to $528 from May 10 to July 31 by not reporting his work as a taxi driver.

Mr. Maitland also was charged in a welfare fraud investigation in 1992. He pleaded guilty in City Court to a reduced charge of petit larceny and was ordered to pay restitution. He was alleged to have received $6,285 in benefits while failing to report income from a job.