Overview of the Case

Sandra Livingston, a 58-year-old resident of Alexandria Bay, is facing serious legal repercussions after being charged with welfare fraud. Allegations suggest she misappropriated nearly $25,000 in benefits over a period of three years.

Details of the Allegations

The Watertown Police Department arrested Livingston on several felony counts on Tuesday, following a detailed investigation by the Jefferson County Department of Social Services (DSS) and the District Attorney’s Office.

According to court documents, Livingston received a total of $23,134 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and an additional $1,732 through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) by submitting false information on multiple welfare applications between 2021 and 2024.

Nature of the Fraud

Livingston purportedly deceived authorities by claiming residence in Jefferson County, despite actually living in St. Lawrence County during the relevant time period. Investigators also discovered that she allegedly forged her landlord’s signature on various documents submitted to the DSS.

Charges Filed

Livingston now faces a range of felony charges, including:

• Third-degree welfare fraud
• Third-degree grand larceny
• Second-degree forgery
• First-degree offering a false instrument for filing
• Second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument
• Misuse of food stamps

After being arraigned in city court, she was subsequently released.