Madison County Sheriff’s Office arrests Earlville man for welfare fraud
On Oct. 15, 2018, at 1 p.m., Madison County Sheriff’s Office investigators arrested Justin T. Marris, 26, of 5693 Lebanon Road, Earlville, on charges of fourth-degree welfare fraud (class E felony), fourth-degree grand larceny (class E felony), first-degree offering a false instrument for filing (class E felony) and second-degree forgery (class D felony).
Marris applied for public assistance and needed to meet certain work requirements to receive and maintain his benefits. It is alleged that Marris wrote and signed another person’s name to a document that indicated he was working for that person when in fact he was not.
Because Marris claimed he was working, he was not required to complete work activities with the Madison County Department of Social Services. As a result of this fraudulent act, between the dates of April 1 and Sept. 30, 2018, Marris received $2,112 to which he was ineligible.
Marris was arraigned in Sullivan Town Court, where he was released on his own recognizance. Marris is scheduled to appear in Lenox Town Court at 9 a.m. Oct. 23, 2018, to answer the charges.