DA: 10 arrested in Medicaid, welfare fraud

A Massapequa couple who prosecutors say hid the fact that they owned a mortgage company, a second home in Suffolk County and a co-op in Florida so they could collect more than $167,000 in public assistance benefits were among 10 people arrested in a welfare fraud sweep.

Nassau District Attorney Kathleen Rice, who made the arrests beginning in September as part of a joint investigation with the county Department of Social Services, said Tuesday that the defendants collectively stole more than $458,000.

The Massapequa couple -- Matthew, 49, and Angela Sutphen, 52 -- both pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree grand larceny and first-degree offering a false instrument for filing, prosecutors said. They each face 5 to 15 years in prison if convicted. They are represented by Nassau County Legal Aid Society, which does not comment on individual cases.

Also among those arrested:

Joan Anzalone, 42, of Glen Cove, was charged with third-degree welfare fraud and other charges after prosecutors said she stole $26,000 in Medicaid benefits over four years. Anzalone pleaded not guilty. Her lawyer, John Maccarone of Glen Cove, could not be reached for comment.

Rehman Aziz, 51, and Nighat Aziz, 44, of Sea Cliff, who pleaded not guilty to welfare fraud after prosecutors said they stole more than $96,000 over six years by underreporting their income. Their lawyer, Joseph Conway of Mineola, could not be reached for comment.

Rizwan Basit, 32, and Shamama Shamin, 28, of Valley Stream, face welfare fraud and other charges after prosecutors said they stole more than $16,000 in Medicaid benefits over three years by failing to disclose that they owned two Cold Stone Creamery locations, two Mercedes-Benz automobiles, and made annual bank deposits between $140,000 and $193,000. "We will vigorously defend these allegations," said the couple's lawyer, Kevin Keating of Garden City. "At the time the benefits were conferred, the Basits did not have the assets or income alleged by the district attorney."