Steuben County Sheriff Jim Allard announced the arrest of 33-year-old Samantha M. Hendee of Hornell on charges related to welfare fraud. On April 30, 2024, investigators from the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office took Hendee into custody following allegations of filing false documents and receiving over $13,000 in unentitled benefits from the Steuben County Department of Social Services.
Authorities allege that between February 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023, Hendee submitted a false instrument for filing and falsified business records, actions which led to her illegally obtaining welfare benefits. The charges against her include Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree and Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree, both class E felonies, as well as Welfare Fraud and Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, both class D felonies.
Following her arraignment in Centralized Arraignment Court, Hendee was released. The investigation was supported by the Steuben County Department of Social Services Fraud and Legal Affairs Unit and the District Attorney’s Office.
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