LI Woman Got $22K In False Rental Benefits: Nassau DA

MINEOLA, NY — A South Hempstead woman was arrested and charged with allegedly falsely applying for and receiving more than $22,000 of rental assistance benefits from the Nassau County Housing Choice Voucher program, prosecutors said.

Melissa Beltre, 42, was arraigned on Thursday on charges of third-degree grand larceny, third-degree welfare fraud and three counts of first-degree offering a false instrument for filing.

She pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on her own recognizance.

"Rental assistance benefits are essential to thousands of low-income families, elderly, and disabled citizens in Nassau County to ensure they can afford to live in safe and sanitary housing," Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said. "This defendant allegedly submitted false paperwork to obtain those benefits for herself, while holding several jobs and contributing to her 401K. It is also alleged that the defendant purchased a $585,000 home in South Hempstead while collecting benefits."

In October 2019 and October 2020, Beltre submitted certifications attesting to her weekly income and address in Oceanside. The applications were approved and the benefits were disbursed.

An investigation by NCDA and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General revealed that Beltre allegedly failed to include financial information on her applications, including nearly $85,000 of income from her employment at several automotive dealerships on Long Island during the period that she was receiving benefits, and her 401K Profit Sharing Plan and Trust 401K, which totaled more than $43,000 by December 2021, Donnelly said.

Beltre is due back in court on March 20. If convicted, she faces up to seven years in prison.