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Social Services announces arrests of four people

By Howard B. Owens

Joshua Carney, 33, and Holly Carney, 27, both of 64 Spencer Court, Batavia, are changed with several felonies following an investigation by the Department of Social Services. Joshua Carney has been charged with nine counts of offering a false instrument for filing, 1st, and one count of grand larceny, 3rd. Holly Carney is charged with 11 counts of offering a false instrument for filing, 1st, and one count of grand larceny, 3rd. DSS investigators alleged that the Carneys failed to report commission income from his employer. The alleged failure to report the income meant the Carneys received $14,017.14 in food stamp and medicaid benefits from May 1, 2008 to June 30, 2010 to which they were not entitled. They were taken into custody by Deputy Chad Minuto and arraigned in Batavia Town Court.

Brandy Miller (aka Brandy Osmancikli), 37, of 2093 Lewiston Road, Basom, is charged with four counts of offering a false instrument for filing, 1st, and one count of petit larceny.  Miller is accused of failing to report income from March 11, 2010 to May 27, 2010. She allegedly received $612 in food stamp benefits to which she was not entitled.

Jamie Hamill, 33, of 4311 Lockport Road, Elba, is charged with grand larceny, 4th, and three counts of offering a false instrument for filing, 1st. Hamill is accused of submitting forms to DSS without revealing that her husband was employed full-time. Hamill allegedly received $542.41 in temporary assistance benefits and $661 in food stamps to which she wasn't entitled between July 2009 and November 2009.

Scott Grefrath

I am glad DSS is cracking down on people who abuse and defraud the system but I hope one of these arrests is all a big mistake. I know Holly Carney fairly well and live in the same neighborhood (I do not know her husband well). Holly is one of the warmest, friendliest, down to earth people I know. She brightens everyone's day with her infectious smile and, unlike many, she actually listens to the response when she asks someone how they are doing. I just saw her yesterday or the day before in the grocery store with her adorable twins. She made my day just by greeting me with a warm, friendly smile.
I hope this is a misunderstanding or a paperwork error but either way she has my support. I cannot imagine her doing something like this.

Dec 7, 2010, 3:09pm Permalink

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