December 23, 2019
| Buffalo
New York State Inspector General Letizia Tagliafierro today announced the conviction of a North Collins woman who stole $4,198 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits by failing to report the employment income of her boyfriend, with whom she resided, when applying for welfare benefits.
Angela Osborne, 41, of North Collins, pled guilty to Disorderly Conduct, a violation, after lying about her boyfriend’s income to become eligible for $4,198 in SNAP benefits. At the time of her false filing, Osborne’s boyfriend was employed by Color Coatings of WNY. Osborne would not have qualified for these benefits had she accurately reported her boyfriend’s employment income.
As a part of her plea, Osborne agreed to make full restitution and was sentenced to a one-year conditional discharge.
“The state’s welfare program exists to provide a crucial safety net to those truly in need,” said Inspector General Tagliafierro. “This individual defrauded this important program – and she is now being held accountable for her actions.”
Inspector General Tagliafierro thanked the Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn and his office for prosecuting this case, and the Erie County Department of Social Services for their partnership with the investigation.