The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office Welfare Fraud Unit reports the arrest of a Palmyra woman following an investigation initiated by Wayne County Department of Social Services.
Melissa R. Hopseker, 28, of Palmyra was charged with third-degree grand larceny, third-degree walfare fraud and offering a false instrument for filing.
It is alleged that Melissa provided false information about her household composition in order to obtain welfare benefits. The Father of Melissa’s child was living in the home, employed, and collecting income, according to deputies. She failed to report this income to the Wayne County Department of Social Services, which is required by the rules of the program.
Her failure to report all income in the household allowed her to collect SNAP (Food Stamp) benefits totaling $8061.00, which she would not have been entitled to receive.
Hopseker was arrested and arraigned in Lyons Town Court and was released to appear at a later date to answer the charges.