Posted at: 11/07/2009 12:10 PM
Updated at: 11/07/2009 1:57 PM
By: WNYT Staff

Print Story  Email to a Friend

Eight arrested for welfare fraud in Warren County

GLENS FALLS -- After a month long investigation, eight people are facing various charges related to welfare fraud in Warren County.

Police say Melissa R. Trackey, 30, of Glens Falls obtained $4,128 in public assistance benefits without reporting unemployment benefits income.  Trackey is due back in Queensbury Town Court on November 16.

Jessica l. Mosher, 29, of Queensbury was charged with fraud and Grand Larceny for obtaining $2,893 in public assistance benefits. Police say she failed to report child support income while receiving public assistance benefits.  Mosher is due back in Glens Falls City Court on November 10.

Troy D. Jordan, 32, and Charlene A. Kamburelis, 31, both of Glens Falls are each charged with obtaining $3,351 in public assistance benefits. Police say Jordan failed to report he was a convicted felon while he was receiving day care public assistance benefits as the day care provider.  Jordan was also charged with two counts of drug sale and possession by the NYSP Community Narcotics Enforcement Team as a result of crack cocaine sales out of the same home.  Jordan is due back in Queensbury Court and Glens Falls City Court, and is being held in the Warren County Correctional Facility for lack of bail.  Kamburelis is due back in Queensbury Town Court on November 9 and the Glens Falls City Court on November 19.

Cordelia J. Ellery, 29, of Glens Falls is charged with fraud for allegedly obtaining $6,815 in public assistance. Police say she did not report total income including unemployment benefits and child support payments while receiving public assistance benefits.  Ellery is due back in Queensbury Town Court on November 9.

Crystal N. Blackmer, 33, of 42 Windsong Dr., Queensbury and Penelope Jo McDonald, 56, of 15 Windsong Dr., Queensbury were each charged with two counts of fraud and Grand Larceny. Police say they obtained $1,320 in public assistance benefits for billing and collecting child daycare public assistance benefits, when no child care services were provided.  Blackmer and McDonald are due in Queensbury Town Court on November 16.

Sharon L. Koshak, 36, of Glens Falls is charged with fraud and larceny for obtaining $184 in public assistance benefits for failing to report her total household composition while obtaining public assistance benefits. Police say Koshak claimed she lived alone, but when she was arrested by Glens Falls Police in August on Identity Theft charges, her husband was also living in the home.  Koshak is due back in Queensbury Town Court on November 23.

The Warren County Sheriff’s Office, the Glens Falls Police Department, New York State Police CNET, Warren County Department of Social Services Fraud Unit, Warren County District Attorney’s Office, United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, Glens Falls Housing Authority and New York State Department of Labor all conducted the investigation.

The investigation is continuing and additional arrests are pending.