Man Accused of Bilking the Public Assistance System

Delaware County District Attorney John Hubbard says a Town of Roxbury man is accused of bilking the welfare system.

61 year old Anthony Bellissimo is charged with theft of public assistance benefits totaling over $42,000.

Officials say after a lengthy investigation, Bellissimo was charged with six felony counts of offering a false instrument for filing and felony welfare fraud for alleged incidents spanning five years.

The District Attorney’s office says Bellissimo is accused of failing to report his household income and receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) and Medicaid benefits to which he was not entitled.

The Delaware County District Attorney’s office worked with the Department of Social Services in the investigation.