Welfare Fraud

Aggressively Protecting You Against Welfare Fraud Charges

Welfare fraud accusations are rampant even when there is no actual illegality. If you are accused of this crime, you do not need to face this matter alone.

Our attorneys at Konta Georges & Buza P.C. help residents in New York City’s five boroughs defend against welfare fraud charges, protecting their reputations and their constitutional rights. Whether you have been formally charged or you believe you are under investigation for fraud, we are ready to represent you aggressively. Our lawyers have compiled an impressive record of courtroom success on the federal and state level. Let us put our experience to work for you.

Important Information About Welfare Fraud

Under New York law, a person engages in welfare fraud when they commit a fraudulent welfare act and thereby take or obtain public assistance benefits.

An individual can be found guilty of committing welfare fraud when they do the following:

• Knowingly and intentionally work to defraud the government
• Want to obtain public assistance benefits
• Or do so by impersonating another person or misrepresenting themselves
• Or lie in any manner in order to obtain said benefits

Public assistance benefits mean services, property or money provided indirectly or directly through programs of the government. A person basically commits welfare fraud when they lie to obtain public assistance and the lie is material, meaning the lie affected the situation.

Penalties Associated With This Crime

Welfare fraud, in its most basic form, is welfare fraud in the fifth degree, which is a class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail. The degree of welfare fraud that a person commits goes up as the value that they obtain as a result of their fraud increases. Just like with other kinds of fraud, the degree of welfare fraud mirrors the larceny statute in terms of punishment. Welfare fraud is a serious crime with severe penalties attached.

Get A Skilled Ally On Your Side

Our lawyers are here to defend you against charges, not to judge. If you or a loved one is accused of welfare fraud, contact a skilled white collar crimes lawyer and schedule your free consultation. Call now at 212-710-5166.