ALBANY – New York State Inspector General Catherine Leahy Scott announced today the arrest of a Troy Housing Authority official on charges he fraudulently collected nearly $50,000 in public assistance and housing subsidies he wasn’t entitled to.
The Office of the Welfare Inspector General’s investigation found that Paul Moses, 57, a member of the Troy Housing Authority’s Board of Commissioners and resident of an Authority property, received $8,730 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits that he was not entitled to between 2009 and 2015. He also received $40,842 in unwarranted rental subsidies from the Troy Housing Authority from 2006 through 2015. In his applications for the SNAP benefits (also known as food stamps) and rental subsidies, Moses indicated he had no employment income. The investigation determined Moses in fact has been working as a bartender at a tavern in Troy for the past nine years.
Moses has been a tenant representative elected to the Troy Housing Authority’s Board of Commissioners since 2009. Tenants in Authority apartments may receive rental subsidies based on their income. Moses alleged crimes enabled him to pay significantly less rent than he was entitled during the past nine years.
“Food stamps and housing subsidies are not meant to fraudulently enhance the quality of life of a corrupt housing representative,” said Inspector General Leahy Scott. “As someone designated by other tenants to serve on the housing authority, it is egregious that he would allegedly cheat the system to improperly receive funds that should be allocated for eligible tenants in need. He will now have to account for his actions in a court of law.”
Moses was charged with Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a class D felony, Welfare Fraud in the Third Degree, a Class D felony, and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class E felony.
“My office will continue to work with agencies such as the New York State Office of the Welfare Inspector General to hold those accountable who steal from honest taxpayers,” said Rensselaer County District Attorney Joel E. Abelove. “People who feel the right to defraud the Welfare system in our county will be caught and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Moses was arraigned in Brunswick Town Court and is scheduled to return June 12 in Troy City Court.Inspector General Leahy Scott thanked the Troy Housing Authority and Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Department for their assistance in the investigation and arrest, and Rensselaer County District Attorney Joel Abelove for prosecuting this matter. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
The New York State Office of the Welfare Inspector General investigates fraud, abuse or illegal acts committed against public assistance programs designed to help those in need. Our office also investigates complaints about the agencies and local social services districts who administer social services programs. Complaints and referrals are kept confidential. We can be reached by calling toll free: 1-800-367-4448, utilizing our online complaint form: http://www.ig.state.ny.gov or sending an email to: [email protected] You also can write to our office at: Office of the Welfare Inspector General, Empire State Plaza, Agency Building 2, 16th Floor Albany, New York 12223.
