Eight Indicted for Government Benefits Fraud

Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes announces the indictment of eight people for collecting improper government benefits totalling over $500,000. (Gary Du/The Epoch Times)

Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes announced on Tuesday the indictment of eight individuals for fraudulently collecting over $500,000 in welfare and other government benefits from the Human Resources Administration.

“HRA funds are a crucial lifeline for thousands of struggling New Yorkers. When individuals like these defendants who have substantial income try to cheat the system, it hurts the neediest among us,” D.A. Hynes said in a press release.

Among those charged was Mohammed Irshad Chaudhry who has allegedly collected $146,887 in Medicaid benefits since 2004. Chaudhry owned multiple businesses while claiming he only worked or helped at them. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

Most of the charges involved Medicaid fraud, and two cases also involved food stamp fraud. Court dates have not been scheduled.