Port Washington resident charged with stealing from Medicaid, food stamp programs

Sarah Minkewicz

A Port Washington was charged on Thursday with stealing from Medicaid and food stamps and concealing proceeds from a $1 million house sale, Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas said.

Linda Scialo, 57, was arrested by DA Investigators on Thursday after the Nassau County Department of Social Services found she illegally collected Medicaid and food stamp benefits after failing to report income from a nearly $1 million house sale, Singas said.

“Benefits like Medicaid and food stamps are paid for by the public to support those in our communities who need the most help, and any abuse of this system is a crime against every taxpayer,” Singas said.  “My office will continue to work with DSS and other partners to root out theft from government coffers.”

Scialo was arraigned on Thursday before Nassau County District Court Judge William Hohauser on charges of welfare fraud in the third degree, grand larceny in the third degree and offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree. 

Officials said she was released on her own recognizance and is due back in court on May 2. 

If convicted, Scialo faces a maximum possible sentence of 2-1/3 to seven years in prison on the top charge.

Singas said that between March 2010 and December 2013, Scialo under-reported her income to the Department of Social Services to illegally receive Medicaid and food stamp benefits totaling $38,940.  

Scialo is also alleged with failing to report a monthly income of $5,000, pursuant to divorce proceedings, from the August 2012 sale of her Port Washington home for $975,000.

The alleged scheme was discovered by Department of Social Services and referred to the DA’s Office for criminal prosecution.

Assistant District Attorney Connie Gentile of DA Singas’ Economic Crimes Bureau is prosecuting the case. Scialo is represented by attorney Michael Director.

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano said, “It’s gratifying to work with the District Attorney and Department of Social Services to prevent people from scamming a system that’s intended to help those most in need.”

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