Mount Morris/Houghton: Livingston County Sheriff Thomas J.
Dougherty reports the arrest of a Houghton woman after an investigation into
the allegations of welfare fraud. At the conclusion of the investigation, it is
alleged that 44-year-old Donna Shelton applied for benefits through the
Livingston County Department of Social Services. In doing so, she allegedly failed to disclose
income that she was receiving. Shelton's failure to disclose the additional
income resulted in her receiving $2,188 in benefits that she was not eligible
to receive. On October 16, 2017, Investigator Dan Rittenhouse arrested Shelton,
charging her with the felonies of Welfare Fraud 4th, Grand Larceny 4th,
Falsifying Business Records 1st, and Offering a False Written Instrument for
Filing 1st. Shelton was turned over to Central Booking Deputies at the
Livingston County Jail for processing and pre-arraignment detention. Shelton
was later arraigned in the Town of Avon Court before Judge Piampiano. The Judge
remanded her to the custody of the
Sheriff on $500 cash bail or $1,000 bond. The investigation was conducted in
coordination with the Livingston County Department of Social Services and the
District Attorney's Office.
