| Columbia County Sheriff's Office |
David W. Harrison, Jr., SHERIFF James R. Sweet, UNDERSHERIFF
| Copyright ©2006 Columbia County Sheriff's Office, Hudson, NY 12534 |
Daycare Director Charged with Welfare Fraud
MAY 25, 2010
Hudson, NY – Columbia County Sheriff David Harrison, Jr. reports that 28 year old Sara M. Clough of
Jefferson Hill Road, Malden Bridge, NY was arrested May 25th @ 11:28am on several charges related to
Welfare Fraud. Clough is an employee of the Family of Woodstock, Inc. of Kingston, NY which is sub-
contracted by the Columbia County Department of Social Services to administrate daycare services and
assistance funds for DSS.
Clough is charged with one count each of Welfare Fraud 3rd degree, Grand Larceny 3rd degree and 3
counts of Possession of a Forged Instrument 2nd degree all class D-Felonies. She was also charged with 5
counts each of the class E-Felonies of Filing a False Instrument 1st degree and Falsifying Business Records
1st degree.
Clough was arrested by Sheriff’s Investigator John Rivero and Deputy Sheriff Brian Molinski. She was
arraigned before Hudson City Court Judge Richard Koweek and remanded to the Columbia County Jail in lieu
of $1,000 cash bail or $2,000 bail bond and ordered to return on June 17, 2010.
The investigation was conducted by Investigator Rivero, Social Services Welfare Fraud Investigator Josh
Ryder and the Welfare Resource Unit supervised by Bette Munson. The investigation was initiated after a tip
was received about Clough’s activities from within Social Services. Between July and December 2009,
Clough forged documents to collect $4,225.50 in public assistance that she was not entitled to.
The Columbia County Welfare Fraud Task Force consists of the Department of Social Services, Sheriff’s
Office, District Attorney’s Office and County Attorney’s Office.
Sheriff Harrison commended Commissioner Mossman’s commitment to investigate and address welfare fraud
wherever it may lead.
MAY 25, 2010
Hudson, NY – Columbia County Sheriff David Harrison, Jr. reports that 28 year old Sara M. Clough of
Jefferson Hill Road, Malden Bridge, NY was arrested May 25th @ 11:28am on several charges related to
Welfare Fraud. Clough is an employee of the Family of Woodstock, Inc. of Kingston, NY which is sub-
contracted by the Columbia County Department of Social Services to administrate daycare services and
assistance funds for DSS.
Clough is charged with one count each of Welfare Fraud 3rd degree, Grand Larceny 3rd degree and 3
counts of Possession of a Forged Instrument 2nd degree all class D-Felonies. She was also charged with 5
counts each of the class E-Felonies of Filing a False Instrument 1st degree and Falsifying Business Records
1st degree.
Clough was arrested by Sheriff’s Investigator John Rivero and Deputy Sheriff Brian Molinski. She was
arraigned before Hudson City Court Judge Richard Koweek and remanded to the Columbia County Jail in lieu
of $1,000 cash bail or $2,000 bail bond and ordered to return on June 17, 2010.
The investigation was conducted by Investigator Rivero, Social Services Welfare Fraud Investigator Josh
Ryder and the Welfare Resource Unit supervised by Bette Munson. The investigation was initiated after a tip
was received about Clough’s activities from within Social Services. Between July and December 2009,
Clough forged documents to collect $4,225.50 in public assistance that she was not entitled to.
The Columbia County Welfare Fraud Task Force consists of the Department of Social Services, Sheriff’s
Office, District Attorney’s Office and County Attorney’s Office.
Sheriff Harrison commended Commissioner Mossman’s commitment to investigate and address welfare fraud
wherever it may lead.
