Judge Finds Buffalo Woman Guilty of All Counts for Fraudulently Obtaining Social Services Benefits

Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that State Supreme Court Justice Debra Givens has found Carmella Miller, 39, of Buffalo guilty of one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and one count of Welfare Fraud in the Third Degree (Class "D" felonies). Judge Givens rendered her decision this afternoon following a one and half-day, non-jury trial last month, convicting the defendant of all counts in the indictment.

Between on or about Thursday, March 1, 2018, through Saturday, February 29, 2020, the defendant knowingly and intentionally committed a welfare fraud act by concealing her marriage, cohabitation and her spouse's income to fraudulently obtain Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. During the span of nearly four years, the defendant fraudulently obtained a total of $6,406 in public assistance benefits that she was not entitled to receive by falsifying her re-certification applications with the Erie County Department of Social Services.

Miller faces a maximum of 7 years in prison when she is sentenced on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. She remains released on her own recognizance.

"This public assistance benefit program is reserved for low-income individuals and families who truly need help paying for food and other basic needs. I want to thank the Office of the New York State Inspector General and Erie County Department of Social Services for their work in this investigation. Together, we will continue to hold those who fraudulently obtain these benefits accountable," said Acting Erie County District Attorney Mike Keane.

"This case highlights our continued commitment to upholding the integrity of public assistance programs like SNAP," said New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang. "As we did here with our partner agencies, the Offices of the New York State Inspector General will continue to ensure accountability for anyone who would bilk taxpayers out of resources that rightly belong to hungry and struggling New Yorkers."

Acting DA Keane commends the Offices of the New York State Inspector General, Erie County Department of Social Services, and Confidential Criminal Investigator Natalie Perez for their work in this investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Norvella C. Pendergrass of the Special Investigations and Prosecutions Bureau.