By Shayna Jacobs
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — Thirty-seven people were charged with scamming a total of $360,000 in housing and unemployment assistance benefits from the city, the Manhattan DA announced Thursday.
Many of the defendants, several of whom are Manhattan residents, claimed they were jobless, when in fact they were employed and lying to authorities so that they could receive benefits from the city, the DA said.
The top offender, Carolyn Torres, 47, was arraigned Thursday. She lied about the $34,000 annual income her husband received from the MTA so that she could receive Section 8 public housing, prosecutors said.
Torres, who allegedly ripped off $30,000 from NYCHA, was arraigned on grand larceny charges and released on her own recognizance Thursday afternoon.
“Unemployment benefits and low-income housing subsidies are lifelines for those in need," Manhattan DA Cy Vance Jr. said. "These funds cannot be fraudulently siphoned away from the New Yorkers who rightfully qualify for assistance."
All but eight of the total alleged scammers have been arrested. The others are expected to be put into custody this week, the DA said.
