A 35-year-old Batavia resident has been charged with grand larceny for allegedly making false claims with the Department of Social Services.
Lee Heckman, of 5 Fairmont Ave., is accused of submitting various forms with DSS that concealed income from a scrap recycling business.
Heckman allegedly received food stamp benefits totaling $600 from March 2011 through July 201, as well as temporary assistance totaling $1,576.13.
Following arraignment in Town of Batavia Court, Heckman was jailed without bail.
Besides the grand larceny, 4th, charge, Heckman is also charged with two counts of offering a false instrument for filing.
Cases of suspected welfare fraud can be reported by calling 344-2580, ext. 6417 or 6416. All calls are confidential.
I'm confused. Is the charge
I'm confused. Is the charge on the $600? If so, how is that grand larceny? I get the false instrument, but that doesn't make sense.
Also, Following arraignment in Town of Batavia Court, Heckman was jailed without bail. Really? Would be rapists, murderers and thieves get out on bail, but this doesn't? Is he a flight risk?
I'm not defending the alleged crime, I just don't understand the severity of the initial confinement. Doesn't seam too equitable.
Howard, just for
Howard, just for clarification, do you know if he actually had a scrap recycling business or was he just scrapping for a little extra money on the side? I agree with Phil. It seems a little harsh.
My mistake. I left out the
My mistake. I left out the temporary assistance amount -- added now.
I know nothing else about this case: But no bail can be related to other things in his case file. Bail, or no bail, is not a punishment, so there's no issue of severity. It's about perceived flight risk.
"Batavia man accused of
"Batavia man accused of getting food stamps will earning money selling scrap metal" I'm no proof reader but I think this should read "While selling scrap metal"
Thanks. Corrected.
Thanks. Corrected.
he shoulda been a politician
he shoulda been a politician that way he could have gotten away with it...we are living in desperate times. ppl gotta do wat they gotta do to survive...we cant retire early and live off the tax payers coat tails we have to slave ourselves to work well into our 70s so others can enjoy wat time they have left