Authorities in Cayuga County arrested a local man after an investigation uncovered alleged welfare fraud involving unreported income.
Ira Smith, 40, of Auburn, was arrested on April 24 after an investigation conducted by the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office in coordination with the Department of Social Services and District Attorney’s Office. Smith allegedly failed to report income, allowing him to receive benefits he was not entitled to. He faces charges including grand larceny in the third degree, welfare fraud in the fourth degree, misuse of food stamps, and offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree.
Sheriff Brian Schenck stated that welfare fraud is a crime, and the Sheriff’s Office will continue working closely with the District Attorney’s Office and Department of Social Services to investigate, arrest, and prosecute offenders. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office at 315-253-1222 or leave tips at https://www.cayugacounty.us/452/Send-a-Tip. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through the SaferWatch app.
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