Four arrested for welfare fraud in Seneca Co.

Seneca County Sheriff’s Investigators have arrested four subjects in connection with an ongoing investigation into welfare fraud and related charges. The investigation is a joint effort by the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office and the Seneca County Division of Human Services.Charged were:Lori J. Wood, age 43, of 583 Lamb Road, Seneca Falls, N.Y., for Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class C felony and Welfare Fraud in the 5th degree, a class A misdemeanor.John E. Wood, age 47, of 583 Lamb Road Seneca Falls, N.Y., for Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class C felony and Welfare Fraud in the 5th degree a class A misdemeanor.Candace M. Vyas, age 23, of 583 Lamb Road, Seneca Falls, N.YY for Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the first degree, a class C felony.Christopher M. Cruz, age 31, of 11 Van Cleef Stree,t Seneca Falls, N.Y. for Welfare Fraud in the 3rd degree, a class D felony.All were arraigned before the Village of Waterloo Court on 10/27/10.Cruz was released and is scheduled to reappear on 12/10/10.Lori and John Wood were committed to the Seneca County Correctional facility in lieu of $1,500 cash bail or $3,000 insurance bond. They are scheduled to reappear on 12/01/10.Candace Vyas was committed to the Seneca County Correctional facility in lieu of $500 cash bail or $1,000 insurance bond. She is scheduled to reappear on 12/01/10.Sheriff Stenberg stated: “People who abuse the welfare system increase the tax burden for all citizens. The Sheriff’s Office will continue to work with the Division of Human Services to insure that abusers of the welfare system are held accountable.”Charges are pending against additional suspects.