Police have arrested an Ontario County woman after a joint investigation revealed she received over $35,000 in benefits from the Department of Social Services that she was not entitled to.
Melissa Pierce, of Farmington, is accused of failing to disclose her marital status and her spouse’s income on her application to DSS. Authorities said this led to Pierce receiving $35,462.42 in benefits she was not entitled to. Pierce was charged with grand larceny, offering a false instrument, and offering a false instrument for filing.
Pierce will appear in Hopewell Town Court at a later date.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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