The Niagara County Sheriff's Department Welfare Fraud Unit is comprised of four Investigators, one Chief Investigator and one clerical staff. Case preparation is initiated through DSS and referred directly the the Welfare Fraud Unit for investigation into possible fraud. The Sheriff's Department is additionally responsible for investigation of applications of clients prior to getting on assistance, to check for and confirm their eligibility. Investigators conduct surveillance of clients homes and potential work places, and check all household composition and resources of clients.
Investigators are responsible for all paperwork warranted to close a case.
The detailed reports of their investigation and activity are reviewed by the Chief of the unit and turned over to the DSS for any additional information that they can provide on the client. When the results of any investigation show any type of fraudulent behavior by the client consistent with the definitions of the NYS Penal Law and Social Services Law, the completed investigations are turned over to the District Attorney's office to initiate prosecution, either criminal or civil. There is a 24 hour number at the Sheriff's Department and the DSS that people can utilize in reporting any one they feel may be illegally collecting benefits. The caller may remain anonymous. The strong commitment by Sheriff Thomas Beilein and the DSS Commissioner Bonita Quaranta make these efforts viable to the taxpayers of Niagara County.