| Columbia County Sheriff's Office |
David W. Harrison, Jr., SHERIFF James R. Sweet, UNDERSHERIFF
| Copyright ©2006 Columbia County Sheriff's Office, Hudson, NY 12534 |
WELFARE FRAUD ARRESTS
MARCH 5, 2010
Hudson, NY - Columbia County Sheriff David Harrison, Jr. reports that five individuals were arrested Friday,
March 5th as a result of the continuing investigations by the Columbia County Welfare Fraud Task Force.
Arrested Friday, March 5th by Sheriff’s Investigator John Rivero and Deputy Sheriff Travis VanAlstyne were; 26
year old Christina Santiago of Brooklyn, charged with 2 counts each of Welfare Fraud 3rd degree a class D-
Felony, Grand Larceny 3rd degree, a class D- Felony and Offering a False Written Statement – 1st Degree, a
class E-felony. Also arrested was 28 year old Valerie J. Marshall, formerly of Hillsdale, currently providing an
address of Maple Lane, Dover Plains, NY, and was charged with one count each of Grand Larceny 4th degree
and Welfare Fraud 4th degree both class E-Felonies. Melissa M. Contartesi, 30 years old of Carl Avenue,
Greenport, NY was charged with three counts of Offering a False Written Statement for Filing 1st degree, class E-
Felonies, 1 count each of Welfare Fraud 3rd degree and Grand Larceny 3rd degree.
Betty Ann Race, 39 years old of route 23B, Hudson, NY, was charged with the Class A - Misdemeanors of Welfare
Fraud 5th degree and Petit Larceny and 35 year old Mary Kastner of State Street – Hudson, NY was charged with
two counts each of Petit Larceny and Welfare Fraud – 5th degree and additionally charged with Criminal Use of a
Benefit Card 2nd degree, all class A-Misdemeanors.
Sanitago is accused of stealing $11,172.34, Marshall, $1807.00, Contratesi $4,228.00, Race, $241.16 and
Kastner, $160.00.
Arraigned in the Hudson City Court by Judge Richard Koweek, Kastner and Race were ROR’d, the other three
defendants were remanded to the county jail, Santiago in lieu of $5,000.00 cash or $10,000.00 bail bond, Marshall
in lieu of $1,000.00 cash or $2,000.00 bail bond and Contrtesi was remanded on $1,500.00 cash or $3,000.00 bail
bond.
All defendants were directed to return to Hudson City Court at a later time.
Sheriff Harrison reports that since the Welfare Fraud Task Force was developed by the Board of Supervisors
consisting of the Sheriff’s Office, Department of Social Services, District Attorney’s Office and County Attorney’s
Office, Columbia County has realized a savings of $186,462.17 since April 1, 2009.
Paul Mossman, Commissioner of Social Services stated “We are very pleased with the Welfare Fraud Task Force
outcomes and results over the last 12 months. Through county agency collaboration, we can continue to offer
vital programs and services to those who are in need and at the same time protect the integrity of such programs
by aggressively pursuing potential welfare fraud. "
The public is reminded that anyone who may have information on individuals or companies illegally obtaining
public assistance is asked to call the Welfare Fraud Task Force hot line at 518-822-8477.
MARCH 5, 2010
Hudson, NY - Columbia County Sheriff David Harrison, Jr. reports that five individuals were arrested Friday,
March 5th as a result of the continuing investigations by the Columbia County Welfare Fraud Task Force.
Arrested Friday, March 5th by Sheriff’s Investigator John Rivero and Deputy Sheriff Travis VanAlstyne were; 26
year old Christina Santiago of Brooklyn, charged with 2 counts each of Welfare Fraud 3rd degree a class D-
Felony, Grand Larceny 3rd degree, a class D- Felony and Offering a False Written Statement – 1st Degree, a
class E-felony. Also arrested was 28 year old Valerie J. Marshall, formerly of Hillsdale, currently providing an
address of Maple Lane, Dover Plains, NY, and was charged with one count each of Grand Larceny 4th degree
and Welfare Fraud 4th degree both class E-Felonies. Melissa M. Contartesi, 30 years old of Carl Avenue,
Greenport, NY was charged with three counts of Offering a False Written Statement for Filing 1st degree, class E-
Felonies, 1 count each of Welfare Fraud 3rd degree and Grand Larceny 3rd degree.
Betty Ann Race, 39 years old of route 23B, Hudson, NY, was charged with the Class A - Misdemeanors of Welfare
Fraud 5th degree and Petit Larceny and 35 year old Mary Kastner of State Street – Hudson, NY was charged with
two counts each of Petit Larceny and Welfare Fraud – 5th degree and additionally charged with Criminal Use of a
Benefit Card 2nd degree, all class A-Misdemeanors.
Sanitago is accused of stealing $11,172.34, Marshall, $1807.00, Contratesi $4,228.00, Race, $241.16 and
Kastner, $160.00.
Arraigned in the Hudson City Court by Judge Richard Koweek, Kastner and Race were ROR’d, the other three
defendants were remanded to the county jail, Santiago in lieu of $5,000.00 cash or $10,000.00 bail bond, Marshall
in lieu of $1,000.00 cash or $2,000.00 bail bond and Contrtesi was remanded on $1,500.00 cash or $3,000.00 bail
bond.
All defendants were directed to return to Hudson City Court at a later time.
Sheriff Harrison reports that since the Welfare Fraud Task Force was developed by the Board of Supervisors
consisting of the Sheriff’s Office, Department of Social Services, District Attorney’s Office and County Attorney’s
Office, Columbia County has realized a savings of $186,462.17 since April 1, 2009.
Paul Mossman, Commissioner of Social Services stated “We are very pleased with the Welfare Fraud Task Force
outcomes and results over the last 12 months. Through county agency collaboration, we can continue to offer
vital programs and services to those who are in need and at the same time protect the integrity of such programs
by aggressively pursuing potential welfare fraud. "
The public is reminded that anyone who may have information on individuals or companies illegally obtaining
public assistance is asked to call the Welfare Fraud Task Force hot line at 518-822-8477.