A Geneva woman has been charged following an investigation into alleged welfare fraud.
Investigators with the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office say Ashley Chynoweth was arrested Wednesday on one count of third-degree welfare fraud.
The investigation began after the Department of Social Services suspected Chynoweth failed to report that the father of her children was living in her household while she was receiving public assistance benefits. Authorities allege the additional household income was not disclosed for eligibility purposes.
Investigators determined Chynoweth would have received $10,020 less in benefits had the information been properly reported.
She was arraigned through the Ontario County Centralized Arraignment Program before Justice Engard and released on her own recognizance.
Chynoweth is scheduled to appear in Hopewell Town Court at a later date to answer the charge.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
