Cayuga County Human Services
Case Integrity Division

Thomas C. Ryan Director
Phone: (315) 253-1313
Fax: (315) 253-1359

The Case Integrity Division (formerly referred to as Investigation and Fraud Unit) was established to serve the Department of Human Services by conducting Front End Detection Investigations (FEDS), Eligibility Verification Reviews (EVR), and allegations of client fraud and abuse in the TANF, Safety Net, Food Stamps, Medicaid and Child Care programs.

Presently this unit is supervised by the Supervising Investigator who reviews and assigns all cases referred to this unit. Two Social Services Investigators are assigned to the areas of FEDS and EVR, and one Senior Investigator is assigned to investigate cases of Fraud and Abuse. The Supervising Investigator also handles cases of Fraud and Abuse as time permits and caseload dictates.

Referrals are received from all areas of the agency (TANF, Food Stamps, Medicaid, Day Care, and Services), outside related agencies (Homesite, Public Housing, etc), Law Enforcement, and the public. Anonymous reports may be made anytime by calling 253-1313. (voice mail after hours)

Investigations, which establish that Fraud or Abuse has occurred, are referred for conclusion in one of three ways. Those cases, which have been determined to be inadvertent client error, are referred back to the program area in question for recovery and/or adverse action as appropriate. Cases which are determined to be Intentional Violation of any program area, but which do not meet the threshold established for criminal prosecution are referred for Administrative Disqualification Hearings. Each Investigator establishing the Intentional Program Violation will represent the agency at these hearings with the advice of the districts Social Services Attorney.

Cases which are determined to be Intentional Program Violations, and which have an established claim over the established threshold are referred to the District Attorneys Office for prosecution. This referral, which is made by Case Integrity Division, with the approval of the Supervising Investigator, includes the charging document to establish probable cause, the back up evidence and the warrant request for each charge. After approval by the Assistant District Attorney assigned to prosecute cases of Welfare Fraud, the charging document is presented to the City Court Judge for review and signing of warrants as applicable. Warrants are served by the appropriate law enforcement agency and referred for appearance before the City Court Judge. Criminal Adjudications are recorded which include orders of restitution through the Department of Probation.

In addition, the Case Integrity Division is responsible for the review and clearance of all PARIS/RICH and Felon/Prison matches, which is coordinated with the Regional Office of Audit and Quality Control.

Cayuga County Human Services Home Page

Updated: 6/28/2004