Woman Gets 6 Months In Jail for $5,688 Welfare Fraud

A of illegally obtaining more than $5,600 in welfare benefits has been sentenced to six months in jail.

Patricia Alexandre, 32, of 15 Park Ave., Apt. A‐102, Spring Valley, was found guilty in Rockland County Court in New City of one count of third-degree grand larceny. Rockland District Attorney Thomas Zugibe said that between August, 2008, and May, 2009, Alexandre received $1,740 in Medicaid benefits and $3,948 in food stamps after failing to report to the Rockland County Department of Social Services that she was employed at Advanced Eye Care Center in Chestnut Ridge.

Alexandre submitted false information in support of a recertification application for the public assistance. Alexandre was arrested after a joint investigation by the Investigation Section of the Rockland County Department of Social Services and the Rockland County Special Investigations Unit.

Zugibe said the Department of Social Services provides an opportunity for violators to make restitution prior to the filing of criminal charges. Because Alexandre failed to pay back all or part of the money, the case was turned over the District Attorney for investigation and arrest.

In addition to the six‐month sentence, Rockland County Court Judge William A. Kelly ordered Alexandre to serve five years probation and pay restitution of $5,668.71. She is also ineligible to receive any type of public assistance for the next year.

Supervising Senior Assistant District Attorney Anthony Dellicarri prosecuted the case.