A Westbury woman pleaded not guilty Tuesday to felony charges accusing her of hiding a $236,666 lawsuit settlement while collecting approximately $54,417 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.
Tesean King, 31, was arraigned July 28 before Judge William Bodkin on charges of second-degree grand larceny, second-degree welfare fraud and two counts of first-degree offering a false instrument for filing, according to Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly.
Prosecutors allege King submitted applications and recertification documents that failed to disclose her household’s income, bank accounts and financial assets.
King initially applied to the Nassau County Department of Social Services in July 2022 to obtain SNAP benefits for her family, according to the district attorney’s office.
The application stated that King lived with her husband and two children on Prospect Avenue in Westbury and had no income or bank accounts, prosecutors said.
The county approved the family to receive benefits from Sept. 1, 2022, through Feb. 28, 2023.
In December 2022, King received a $236,666 settlement check from a civil lawsuit but allegedly failed to report the money to the Department of Social Services.
Prosecutors said King used money from the settlement to purchase three BMWs for herself and her husband. She is also accused of providing false employment and income information to the dealerships involved in the purchases.
King allegedly continued filing SNAP recertification documents after receiving the settlement. Those applications stated that she received a public assistance grant but did not have a checking or savings account, according to the investigation.
Based on the information provided, the county approved benefits for King and her family through Aug. 31, 2025.
Prosecutors allege King received approximately $54,417 in benefits for which she was not eligible.
The Department of Social Services informed King in December 2024 that investigators had discovered bank accounts in her name. Her SNAP benefits were terminated March 2, 2025.
Donnelly said assistance programs are intended for families who need financial support and accused King of repeatedly concealing her income and assets while applying for benefits.
King surrendered to Nassau County district attorney’s office investigators on July 28.
She was released on her own recognizance and is scheduled to return to court Aug. 31. If convicted of the top charges, she faces a maximum sentence of five to 15 years in prison.
The investigation was conducted with assistance from the Nassau County Department of Social Services and the New York State Department of Financial Services’ Investigations and Intelligence Division.
The charges are accusations. King is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
