The New York State Office of the Welfare Inspector General (OWIG), as established by §74 of the New York State Executive Law, is tasked with maintaining the integrity of New York State's public assistance programs. Specifically, the Welfare Inspector General is responsible for conducting investigations of fraud, abuse or illegal acts perpetrated within local social services districts and by beneficiaries of public assistance services. Additionally, the Welfare Inspector General is charged with recommending policies relating to the prevention and detection of fraud and abuse, and to monitor the implementation of those recommendations.

In addition to its extensive fraud investigations, OWIG is equally dedicated to fraud prevention. OWIG's early detection efforts help curtail the payment of unearned benefits which yield significant savings to New York State. OWIG also conducts proactive initiatives aimed at the early detection and prevention of fraud, and partners with federal, state, and local law enforcement, and with local social services districts, to investigate and prosecute fraudulent schemes.

OWIG continues to raise awareness of public assistance fraud, educate stakeholders, and generate increased detection and reporting of fraud. OWIG participates in several public assistance fraud task forces, whose members include social services and law enforcement personnel, as well as corporate entities. The Welfare Inspector General frequently provides public training to stakeholders regarding investigative techniques and ethical considerations in public assistance fraud investigations. 

 

Andrew Weiss is the Attorney in Charge for Welfare Fraud and is responsible for supervising the Inspector General’s welfare fraud unit, in her role as the Welfare Inspector General under Executive Law §74.  In this role, Andrew leads the Inspector General’s efforts to investigate fraud, abuse or illegal acts perpetrated within the State and county departments of social services.  Investigations include allegations of fraud and criminal conduct done by contractees, recipients of public assistance, and internal investigations.  Andrew also works with other agencies on the Federal, State and local levels to identify fraud and ensure that social services resources are used in a proper and efficient manner.

Andrew has over 20 years of experience investigating and prosecuting government fraud.  Andrew previously served as the Deputy Chief of the Economic Crimes Bureau in the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office, and prosecuted government fraud as a Special Assistant Attorney General in the New York Attorney General’s Criminal Prosecutions Bureau.  Andrew also served as First Deputy Inspector General at the New York City Department of Investigation, supervising fraud cases involving NYC Health + Hospitals, NYC’s public health system.  Andrew served for eleven years on the Board of Directors of the New York Welfare Fraud Investigators Association, and six years as Vice President.

Andrew received his law degree from Albany Law School.