New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang, in partnership with the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, announced the sentencing of Carmella Miller, who fraudulently obtained more than $6,000 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Miller’s sentencing comes just weeks after another Buffalo resident, Rodney Jones, was sentenced in a separate SNAP fraud case, highlighting OIG’s ongoing efforts to protect taxpayer-funded public assistance programs from abuse.
Carmella Miller, 39, of Buffalo, was sentenced by Erie County Supreme Court Justice Debra Givens to five years of probation and 200 hours of community service following her conviction of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and Welfare Fraud in the Third Degree, both Class D felonies. She was also ordered to pay $6,406 in restitution to the State of New York. Miller concealed multiple sources of income—including her employment with Edison Home Health Care, earnings as a Lyft driver, and her husband’s income—to unlawfully collect benefits.
Miller’s sentencing is part of a broader crackdown on people who defraud the public benefits system. Last month, Rodney Jones, 60, of Buffalo, was sentenced for similarly misrepresenting household income to obtain more than $9,000 in SNAP benefits. Jones also stole over $72,000 from the Social Security Administration (SSA) by concealing his wife’s income.
“Fraud undermines the core purpose of programs like SNAP and Social Security, which are essential lifelines for vulnerable New Yorkers,” said New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang. “This sentencing reinforces our commitment to protecting these critical public assistance programs and ensuring they remain available to those who genuinely need them.”
“This public assistance benefit program is reserved for low-income individuals and families who truly need help paying for food and other basic needs,” said Erie County District Attorney Mike Keane. "I want to thank the Office of the New York State Inspector General and Erie County Department of Social Services for their work in this investigation. Together, we will continue to hold those who fraudulently obtain these benefits accountable.”
Inspector General Lang thanked the dedicated team involved in both Miller’s and Jones’ cases, including Investigative Counsel Philip Druss, Investigative Counsel Jill Florkowski, Investigator Amanda Brennan, Investigator Erynn Migaj, Investigator Christopher Martello, and Investigative Auditor Meghan O’Dell, under the supervision of Deputy Inspector General Jeffrey Hagen, Chief of Investigations Martin Stanford, and Attorney-In-Charge of Welfare Matters Andrew Weiss.
The Inspector General also thanked the Erie County District Attorney’s Office and Erie County Department of Social Services for their collaboration in this prosecution.
The Inspector General is the integrity watchdog that investigates corruption, fraud, and abuse in New York State government and the Workers’ Compensation and Welfare systems. To report wrongdoing, call 1-800-DO-RIGHT (367-4448) or visit ig.ny.gov. Follow the office’s work on social media at @NewYorkStateIG.
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