Two Cato residents face welfare fraud and grand larceny charges after authorities alleged they improperly received $2,447 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.
Homer H. Rice, 40, and Ivy Rice, 38, turned themselves in to the Cayuga County Sheriff's Office on July 20 on arrest warrants issued by Auburn City Court, Sheriff Brian Schenck said.
Both were charged with fourth-degree welfare fraud, fourth-degree grand larceny and misuse of food stamps. Ivy Rice was also charged with first-degree offering a false instrument for filing, a felony.
The two were issued appearance tickets directing them to appear in Auburn City Court at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 29, according to the Sheriff's Office.
The cases were investigated by the Cayuga County Department of Social Services Case Integrity Unit with assistance from the Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division and the county District Attorney's Office.
The charges are allegations. Both defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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