Madison County woman accused of stealing thousands in welfare money

Wampsville (WSYR-TV) – A Madison Count woman is facing felony fraud charges after Sheriff’s Investigators say she pilfered thousands in public assistance benefits from the state.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, 30-year-old Thara Hemingway of Kirkville turned in an application for public assistance that did not reveal that she was already receiving disability benefits.

Sheriff’s Investigators say Hemingway pocketed $7,395 in public assistance.

She was charged with welfare fraud in the third degree, a felony, and offering a false instrument for filing, a misdemeanor.

She has been released by a Town of Lenox judge but is scheduled to return to court on Feb. 12.

The Sheriff’s Office says Hemingway could face seven years in prison on the fraud charge and one year for offering a false instrument for filing.