BUFFALO- New York State Inspector General Catherine Leahy Scott announced the arrests of a business owner and his wife on charges that they stole more than $8,000 in welfare benefits to which they were not entitled by concealing earning a six-figure income.
Edward L. Kwiatkowski, 77, and Sheila K. Kwiatkowski, 57, of Lyman Road, Cuba, NY, were arrested and charged with four counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, one count of Welfare Fraud in the Third Degree, and one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, all felonies. Additionally, Edward L. Kwiatkowski was charged with one count of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree and one count of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, both felonies. Sheila K. Kwiatkowski was also charged with one felony count of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree.
An investigation by Inspector General Leahy Scott found that between November 1, 2012, and September 30, 2017, the Kwiatkowskis repeatedly submitted welfare program documents falsifying and concealing more than $350,000 in income from a construction and firewood business owned by Edward Kwiatkowski. That business took in more than $140,000 in 2015 alone while the Kwiatkowskis were fraudulently applying for and recertifying their need for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ("SNAP" also known as Food Stamps) and Home Energy Assistance Program ("HEAP") benefits.
"The defendants’ thefts from the welfare system provided them unearned entitlements through a brazen abuse of taxpayer-subsidized benefits used to criminally enhance their lifestyle." said Inspector General Leahy Scott. "I will continue to use all of the resources at my disposal to protect the public benefits system for those who truly need them while relentlessly pursuing anyone who seeks to fraudulently acquire them."
The investigation into the Kwiatkowskis alleged thefts found that they fraudulently received $8,817 in SNAP and HEAP program benefits. The investigation also found Edward Kwiatkowski received $1,728 from the HEAP program to provide firewood to families in need. He never actually provided the critical heating source and ignored requests from the HEAP program to repay the $1,728.
The Kwiatkowskis were arraigned on the charges in the Town of Amity Court and released on their own recognizance pending their reappearance in court on Sept. 26.
Inspector General Leahy Scott thanked the Allegany Department of Social Services for their assistance with the investigation, the New York State Police for their assistance with the arrest, and Allegany County District Attorney Keith A. Slep and his office for their assistance with the investigation and for the prosecution of this matter.
