Angela Lopez, Colonie
Do you remember Angela Lopez? She was making headlines and commenting (like “get the (expletive) out of my face.”) for the media back in November 2010.
This week, the D-A announced the fate of Ms. Lopez:
Colonie Woman to Serve 2 – 6 Years, Must Repay $95,000 to Albany County and SSAIt would appear justice is served.
ALBANY, NY – District Attorney P. David Soares today announced that ANGELA LOPEZ, 37, of Vanessa Court in Colonie, NY, pled guilty to (1) count of Welfare Fraud in the Second Degree, a Class “C” Felony and (1) count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a Class “D” Felony before the Honorable Dan Lamont.
On July 8, 2011, LOPEZ will be sentenced to 2 to 6 years in state prison and must pay $65,699 in restitution to the Department of Social Services and $29,697.88 in restitution to the Social Security Administration.
“We are very aware that Ms. Lopez is not the only person engaging in fraud against Albany County,” commented DA Soares. “The Financial Crimes Unit of the District Attorney’s Office in partnership with the Department of Social Services will continue to aggressively pursue these cases to stop our tax dollars from being exploited. For those of you who are currently collecting benefits you are not entitled to, that knock on your door is forthcoming.”
Between May 2005 and April 2009 LOPEZ applied for and received Medicaid assistance and food stamps from Albany County DSS, but failed to report under-the-table income she received during the period of the fraud. This resulted in a total overpayment of Albany County benefits to her of $65,699. LOPEZ also defrauded the Social Security Administration out of approximately $29,697.88, by intentionally withholding her under-the-table income and intentionally failing to report property owned by her family on applications and certifications for SSI benefits.
