A Warsaw man is facing welfare fraud charges after he allegedly failed to report his income to the Department of Social Services.
Patrick L. Gugliuzza, 37, was charged by the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Social Services with fourth-degree welfare fraud, a felony, and first-degree offering a false instrument for filling, a felony, after not reporting that he had a roommate and was collecting rent for approximately five months and not reporting it to the Department of Social Services, therefore collecting $1,350.00 in benefits that he was not entitled to.
If found guilty, he could face a 1 year disqualification from receiving public assistance benefits. A second offense carries a 2 year disqualification and a third offense carries a lifetime ban.
On February 2, 2017, Wyoming County Sheriff’s responded to Route 39, Town of Pike, for a reported accident with a vehicle on its side.
Upon arrival, it was found that Benjamin Minervino was operating the truck.
After detecting an odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Minervino and testing positive for alcohol in his system, Minervino was arrested for DWI.
Minervino was transported to the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office, where he gave a breath sample of .08% BAC.
He was issued traffic tickets for speed unreasonable and prudent, DWI, and operating a vehicle with .08% BAC or higher.
Minervino is to answer his summons on March 14, 2017 at Pike Town Court.