Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Rodney C. Jones, 60, of Buffalo, was sentenced on Monday morning before State Supreme Court Justice Paul B. Wojtaszek to two years of probation.
Between March 1, 2018, and February 28th, 2022, the defendant fraudulently obtained more than $9,000 in New York State Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits by intentionally concealing his wife’s income on applications that he filed with the Erie County Department of Social Services. Jones also admitted that he fraudulently obtained more than $72,000 from the Social Security Administration between July 1, 2014, and October 31, 2023.
Jones pleaded guilty to one count of Welfare Fraud in the Fifth Degree and one count of Attempted Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree (Class “A” misdemeanors) on November 12, 2024. As a condition of the plea agreement, Jones paid the full restitution amount of $9,707 to the Erie County Department of Social Services and $72,459 to the Social Security Administration.
“This public assistance benefit program is reserved for low-income individuals and families who truly need help paying for food and other basic needs,” said Acting Erie County District Attorney Mike Keane. "I want to thank the Office of the New York State Inspector General, Erie County Department of Social Services, and the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General for their work in this investigation. Together, we will continue to hold those who fraudulently obtain these benefits accountable.”
"This fraud jeopardized the fundamental purpose of SNAP and Social Security which, for decades, have been a lifeline for New Yorkers facing hardship” said New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang. "It is a betrayal of hardworking taxpayers to prioritize personal greed over the integrity of public welfare. I am grateful to the Erie County District Attorney’s Office for our ongoing partnership to ensure accountability for anyone who exploits systems designed to support vulnerable families.”
DA Keane commends the agencies involved in this investigation: New York State Inspector General’s Office, Erie County Department of Social Services and the United States Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Amy Connelly.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Norvella C. Pendergrass of the Special Investigations and Prosecutions Bureau.