Couple Sentenced For Welfare, HEAP Fraud, Didn’t Report $350,000 In Income

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BUFFALO – A Western Southern Tier couple pled guilty to stealing subsidized HEAP funds and more than $8,000 in welfare benefits by concealing a six figure income, according to New York State Acting Welfare Inspector General Catherine Leahy Scott.

Edward L. Kwiatkowski, 77, and Sheila K. Kwiatkowski, 57, of Lyman Road, Cuba, have both pleaded guilty to fifth-degree welfare fraud in the Town of Amity Court and were ordered to pay $11,692 in restitution. Both were additionally sentenced to three years of probation.

An investigation by Acting Welfare 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 investigation also found Edward Kwiatkowski received funding from the HEAP program to provide firewood to families in need
but never actually provided the critical heating source.

“These defendants’ stole from taxpayers and withheld critical heating fuel from vulnerable New Yorkers through a brazen abuse of the welfare system meant to criminally enhance their lifestyle.” said Scott. “I will continue to use my law enforcement partnerships and all of the resources of my office to protect the welfare system for those who truly need those benefits, and to pursue anyone who seeks to steal them.”





















Assisting in the case were: the Allegany Department of Social Services, New York State Police and Allegany County District Attorney Keith A. Slep and his office.

4 Comments

  1. The real criminals here is our Judicial System, slap on the wrist (now don’t you do that again Susie Q) & off they go virtually free of reprisal or accountability.
    Most likely will turn right around & DO IT AGAIN!

    Their privilege to operate any kind of business anywhere in the country should be seized, they should be forced to pay back every damn dime, as well as interest.

    How out system handles criminal cases in this country is repulsive and crippling g to the tax payers, nothing but a huge slap in the face & the tax payers pay the wage of these officials that make embarrassing sentences that clearly DO NOT FIT CRIME COMMITTED!
    #Outragious

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