L.I. woman who owned Valley Stream printing press charged with welfare fraud

The New York State Attorney General's office says they've caught another welfare cheat.

Downtown Valley Stream, L.I. State officials alleged that a local woman on welfare and unemployment ran her own printing business here.Photo byC.J. Teevan

Sharlie Knight, 45, who told the court clerk she lives in Valley Stream, N.Y., pleaded Not Guilty before Judge Veronica Irwin last week to charges of 2nd and 3rd degree Welfare Fraud and Filing a False Instrument in Nassau County District Court -- C, D and E Felony charges.

In court filings, prosecutors for the NYS Attorney General's Office said Knight used fake names and Social Security numbers to collect "more than $50,000 in public assistance benefits" and "more than $3,000 in unemployment benefits" when she was allegedly not unemployed.

The factual allegations were summarized by an Assistnt DA at Knight's arraignment, arguing for custody.

Page 2 of the Attorney General's Felony Complaint alleges: "Knight utilized aliases including Sharlie Hawkins and Sharlie Hairston as well as multiple Social Security numbers to hold various jobs and obtain other public assistance benefits" between January 1, 2016 and November 30, 2023.

Prosecutors say that for 9 months during 2021, when Knight was working, she also collected Unemployment Insurance checks. Knight was allegedly running her own business in Valley Stream, identified by a prosecutor as VS Print & Ship on Rockaway Avenue. They said VS Print & Ship was "owned and operated" by Sharlie Knight, making her ineligible for unemployment benefits.

Welcome to Valley Stream, Long Island. Resident Sharlie Knight is charged with Welfare Fraud.Photo byC.J. Teevan

"Knight intentionally failed to disclose the existent of her business ownership and employment to the Dept. of Labor to continue receiving unemployment benefits," prosecutors say in the Felony Complaint.

Prosecutors said Knight was also caught lying on a Notary Public application. According to the Attorney General, Knight allegedly checked a "NO" box to the question, Have you ever been convicted of a crime? In fact, they said in the Felony Complaint filed in support of the charges, Knight has a RAP sheet with "multiple convictions" that disqualify a person from being licensed as a Notary in this state.

VS Print & Ship in Valley Stream is allegedly owned by Sharlie Knight, 55 -- a detail state authorities say she unlawfully hid from them.Photo byC.J. Teevan

The check Knight allegedly made in that box was the basis for the E Felony charge, an alleged attempt to trick officials into issuing her a Notary Public license.

New York Attorney David Gray was retained to defend Knight. She was released on her own recognizance. Her next court date is scheduled for May 13, 2024 in Mineola before Judge Anthony Paradiso.

The charges are unproved allegations only. All defendants are innocent until proved guilty.

The Nassau County 1st District Courthouse, where a L.I. woman was charged by the NYS Attorney General with Welfare Fraud and other Felonies.Photo byC.J. Teevan