Three caught for welfare fraud in Lewis County, says the DSS and Sheriff's Office

LOWVILLE- Three separate welfare fraud investigations have resulted in charges filed against three North Country residents, authorities say.

According to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, these cases were all initially taken on by the Department of Social Services (DSS).

On April 10, Chad D. Gabruk, 40, of Copenhagen, NY was arrested and charged with felony counts of welfare fraud in the third-degree; grand larceny in the third-degree and filing a false instrument in the first-degree.

Officials allege that Gabruk was issued nearly $4,000 that he was not entitled to. This reportedly occurred between April, 21, 2022 and June 30, 2022.

On May 2, Amanda Marek, 39, of Harrisville, NY was arrested and charged with all the same. On May 9. Stephanie Hancock, 29, of Copenhagen, NY was charged with the same felony counts of welfare fraud and grand larceny.

It’s alleged that Marek received over $7,500 worth of assistance she was not entitled to between December 6, 2021 and August 31, 2022, while Hancock received over $3,300 worth of assistance she was not entitled to between March 1, 2022 and June 30, 2022.

All three were processed, arraigned and released on their own recognizance.

No further details were made available to report.

Image via the Lewis County Sheriff's Office.