Montgomery County, NY (WRGB) — Four individuals have been arrested and charged with welfare fraud following a joint investigation by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Unit, the Department of Social Services, and the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office.
Joshua King, 30, of Cohoes, was arrested on February 20, 2025, and charged with two felony counts of first-degree offering a false instrument for filing and felony third-degree welfare fraud. King allegedly failed to report all household members and the income earned within the household. He was processed and released on his own recognizance, with a return date scheduled for court.
Brayleen Cook, 27, of Amsterdam, was arrested on February 25, 2025, and charged with three felony counts of first-degree offering a false instrument for filing and one count of third-degree welfare fraud. Cook allegedly failed to report all household members and the income within the household. She was processed and released on her own recognizance, with a court return date provided.
Lynoska Morales, 26, of Amsterdam, was arrested on February 20, 2025, and charged with misdemeanor second-degree offering a false instrument for filing and fifth-degree welfare fraud. Morales reportedly failed to report all household income. She was processed and released with an appearance ticket for the City of Amsterdam Court.
Savannah Magiera, 26, of Amsterdam, was arrested on February 27, 2025, and charged with one felony count of first-degree offering a false instrument for filing and one felony count of third-degree welfare fraud. She allegedly failed to report all people residing in her household and the income earned within it. Magiera was processed at the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and held pending arraignment in the City of Amsterdam Court.
The arrests come after an extensive investigation into the fraudulent reporting of household members and income, which led to these serious criminal charges.
