Saratoga County welfare worker accused of food stamp fraud

PHOTOGRAPHER: Stephen Williams

A Saratoga County social welfare examiner was arrested Friday on charges of stealing food stamp benefits with a fake identity, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department said.

Julie A. Bowers, 40, of Co. Route 10, Corinth, faces a felony charge of second-degree forgery as well as misdemeanor official misconduct, Investigator Steven Brown said.

Bowers resigned from her county position on Friday, said county Deputy Personnel Director Marcy McNamara. She was earning $38,146 annually.

Deputies said the arrest came following a Department of Social Services investigation sparked by the county’s internal financial control system.

It is alleged that on May 27 Bowers acted without authorization to create a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefit card — a food stamp card — in the name of an existing client. It is alleged that she then used the card for her own benefit.

Bowers will answer the charges later in Ballston Spa Village Court.

Bowers had worked for the county since October 2007, primarily holding the title of senior typist.