Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Denise Nelson, 57, of Buffalo, was sentenced this morning before Erie County Court Judge Sheila A. DiTullio to a three-year conditional discharge.
Between May 19, 2022, and February 5, 2024, the defendant, while working as an employee of the Erie County Department of Social Service’s HEAP Office, fraudulently used the accounts of five individuals to obtain Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) emergency benefits to pay her overdue utility bills. The crime was uncovered during an internal audit and the defendant was subsequently terminated from her position. As a condition of the plea, the defendant paid the total full restitution amount of $4,917.00 to the utility providers and the Erie County Department of Social Services.
Nelson pleaded guilty to one count of Attempted Grand Larceny in the Third Degree (Class “E” felony) on April 2, 2025.
“This program is reserved for low-income individuals and families who truly need help paying for their home utilities. In addition to entering a guilty plea, I am pleased to announce that this defendant paid full restitution. I want to thank the Office of the New York State Inspector General and Erie County Department of Social Services HEAP Office for their partnership in this investigation. Together, we will continue to hold those who fraudulently obtain these benefits accountable,” said Erie County District Attorney Mike Keane.
“Public employees have a responsibility to uphold the trust placed in them by the people they serve,” said New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang. “By diverting resources meant for vulnerable New Yorkers, Ms. Nelson betrayed that trust and compromised a program designed to help those most in need. This outcome reflects our firm commitment to protecting public assistance programs from abuse and ensuring accountability.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Norvella C. Pendergrass of the Special Investigations and Prosecutions Bureau.