| Columbia County Sheriff's Office |
David W. Harrison, Jr., SHERIFF James R. Sweet, UNDERSHERIFF
| Copyright ©2006 Columbia County Sheriff's Office, Hudson, NY 12534 |
WOMAN ARRESTED ON 122 COUNTS INVOLVING FRAUD
April 16, 2010
Hudson, NY – Columbia County Sheriff David Harrison, Jr. reports that 26 year old Jessica Marie Roman of route
9W, Catskill, NY was arrested and charged with multiple crimes relating to Welfare Fraud and fraud involving the
NYS Department of Labor.
Sheriff’s Investigator John Rivero, DSS Welfare Fraud Investigator Josh Ryder and other staff from Columbia County
DSS and SR/Assistant District Attorney David Costanzo, all members of the Columbia County Welfare Fraud Task
Force began the investigation in October of 2009 along with the Department of Labor Office of Special Investigations
after receiving a complaint that Roman was cashing unemployment benefits for an individual who was in prison and
no longer entitled to receive benefits. The investigation was initiated in part after calls were received on the
Columbia County Welfare Fraud and Crimes Tips Hotline.
As a result of the investigation, it was determined that Roman stole in excess of $20,000.00 by being deceitful in
obtaining benefits from both the Columbia County Department of Social Services and the NYS Department of Labor.
Roman was charged with one count of Welfare Fraud 3rd degree, and 2 counts Grand Larceny 3rd degree; class D-
Felonies, 29 counts of Falsifying Business Records 1st degree; 29 counts of Filing a False Written Statement; 29
counts of Criminal Impersonation; class A-Misdemeanors and 29 Counts of False Statements or Representations of
the NYS Labor Law; Unclassified Misdemeanors; one count of Petit Larceny and Welfare Fraud 5th Degree; both
class A-Misdemeanors.
Arrested on April 14, 2010 at about 9:26am she was arraigned in the Hudson City Court by Judge Richard Koweek,
Roman was remanded to the county jail in lieu of $10,000.00 cash or $20,000.00 bail bond and will return to court at
a later date.
Sheriff Harrison thanks those people who made calls to the hotline and others who assisted in the investigation of
these crimes. He emphasizes that public assistance is provided for those who need it. The Welfare Fraud Task
Force will be looking for those who are obtaining it illegally.
NYS Department of Labor Commissioner Colleen Gardner said: “In this difficult economy when thousands have just
exhausted their unemployment benefits, it is mind boggling to think that people would steal such a vital lifeline that so
many New Yorkers depend on. I applaud the Columbia County Sherriff’s Office and the strong collaboration between
our departments in bringing this case to justice.”
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 and state agencies 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. "
April 16, 2010
Hudson, NY – Columbia County Sheriff David Harrison, Jr. reports that 26 year old Jessica Marie Roman of route
9W, Catskill, NY was arrested and charged with multiple crimes relating to Welfare Fraud and fraud involving the
NYS Department of Labor.
Sheriff’s Investigator John Rivero, DSS Welfare Fraud Investigator Josh Ryder and other staff from Columbia County
DSS and SR/Assistant District Attorney David Costanzo, all members of the Columbia County Welfare Fraud Task
Force began the investigation in October of 2009 along with the Department of Labor Office of Special Investigations
after receiving a complaint that Roman was cashing unemployment benefits for an individual who was in prison and
no longer entitled to receive benefits. The investigation was initiated in part after calls were received on the
Columbia County Welfare Fraud and Crimes Tips Hotline.
As a result of the investigation, it was determined that Roman stole in excess of $20,000.00 by being deceitful in
obtaining benefits from both the Columbia County Department of Social Services and the NYS Department of Labor.
Roman was charged with one count of Welfare Fraud 3rd degree, and 2 counts Grand Larceny 3rd degree; class D-
Felonies, 29 counts of Falsifying Business Records 1st degree; 29 counts of Filing a False Written Statement; 29
counts of Criminal Impersonation; class A-Misdemeanors and 29 Counts of False Statements or Representations of
the NYS Labor Law; Unclassified Misdemeanors; one count of Petit Larceny and Welfare Fraud 5th Degree; both
class A-Misdemeanors.
Arrested on April 14, 2010 at about 9:26am she was arraigned in the Hudson City Court by Judge Richard Koweek,
Roman was remanded to the county jail in lieu of $10,000.00 cash or $20,000.00 bail bond and will return to court at
a later date.
Sheriff Harrison thanks those people who made calls to the hotline and others who assisted in the investigation of
these crimes. He emphasizes that public assistance is provided for those who need it. The Welfare Fraud Task
Force will be looking for those who are obtaining it illegally.
NYS Department of Labor Commissioner Colleen Gardner said: “In this difficult economy when thousands have just
exhausted their unemployment benefits, it is mind boggling to think that people would steal such a vital lifeline that so
many New Yorkers depend on. I applaud the Columbia County Sherriff’s Office and the strong collaboration between
our departments in bringing this case to justice.”
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 and state agencies 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. "
