Man Charged With Fraud; Taking $7K in Benefits Not Entitled to

An investigation conducted by the Cortland County Sheriff’s Office and the Cortland County Department of Social Services led to the arrest of a Cortland man, who reportedly received benefits totaling over $7,100 he was not entitled to.

The investigation found that between September 2021 through November of 2022, 40 year old Laroy F. Nelson of Cortland, had failed to report required income information to Social Services. The investigation also found Nelson had filed fraudulent documents concerning his income to Social Services.

The fraudulent information led to Nelson receiving benefits he was not entitled to totaling over $7,100.

Nelson has been charged with 2 counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the 1st degree, Welfare Fraud in the 3rd, and Grand Larceny in the 3rd, all Felonies. He was arraigned and later released and is scheduled to reappear in Cortland City Court next month.