Two Cayuga County women are facing felony charges after turning themselves in on arrest warrants connected to an investigation into alleged welfare fraud, according to the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Brian Schenck said Caitlyn Reeves, 31, of Aurora and Jean Garoppy, 56, of Auburn surrendered at the Sheriff’s Office on June 16. Both were processed and issued appearance tickets at the request of a judge. They are scheduled to be arraigned June 30 in Auburn City Court.
Reeves was charged with misuse of food stamps, third-degree grand larceny, third-degree welfare fraud and first-degree offering a false instrument for filing. Garoppy was charged with misuse of food stamps and fourth-degree grand larceny.
Authorities said the cases were investigated by the Cayuga County Department of Social Services Case Integrity Unit with assistance from the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division and the Cayuga County District Attorney’s Office.
The Sheriff’s Office said it will continue working with partner agencies to identify, investigate and prosecute welfare fraud cases throughout the county.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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