Eyewitness News Rides-Along With UPD; "Operation Tax Burden" Conducts 5th Sweep

Operation Tax Burden strikes again for its fifth sweep. Area law enforcement agencies are working together to crack down on people who collect welfare benefits when they are not truly in need. Today - Eyewitness News rode-along with Utica Police as they executed 26 arrest warrants.

People who commit such fraud are stealing from the taxpayers. Eyewitness News rode-along with police teams as they visited those accused of illegally collecting benefits; like food stamps, medicaid and public assistance.

"Situations they happen 0 to 100 fast, without stopping. So basically we go in, preparing for the worst and hoping for a good outcome," says Bill Williams, Utica Police Department investigator.

One woman was arrested in Whitesboro.

"She'll be brought down to the Utica Police Department, she'll go thru a booking process, at some point, she'll go before a judge," says Tim Moore, Utica Police Department investigator.

Utica Police and Oneida County District Attorney's Office team up for the sweeps about 3 times a year.

"You got a designated target, multiple agencies involved, so you got the resources," says Pat Scalise, Utica Police Department probation officer.

And they say they've been very successful.

"And we found the sweeps are an effective way to do it and you end up with multiple arrests," says Scalise.

One Utica man had a warrant out for his arrest regarding public assistance.

"And that's why we're out here today trying to minimize the number of people taking advantage of it and taking money out of peoples pockets," says Len Hite, Oneida County District Attorney's Office investigator.

Officers say these cases wont be forgotten when Operation Tax Burden ends.

"If we don't get them today, we'll go out tomorrow and look for them. These are very serious warrants not only because the charge itself is a felony. But also it's a crime against the citizens," says Williams.

Over the last year, the District Attorney's Office say they've convicted about 75 people. In today's sweep, 26 people were sought in connection with welfare fraud. And as of news time, nearly 20 people were in custody.

The law enforcement agencies involved in the Operation Tax Burden Sweep are the Utica Police Department, New Hartford Police Department, the U.S. Marshals Office, New York State Department of Corrections (Parole), Oneida County Sheriff's Department, Oneida County District Attorney's Office, Oneida County Probation Department, Yorkville Police Department, and New York State Police VFW.

The following individuals were charged in connection with this Operation:

 

The various charges include Welfare Fraud, Misuse of Food Stamps, Grand Larceny, Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, and Public Assistance Fraud.