Twenty-six members of the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community in Lakewood have been swept up on charges of benefits fraud following a multi-agency investigation.

At present, thirteen couples have been accused of wrongfully collecting a total of $2.4 million in public assistance by under-reporting incomes. Most of the charges have been filed in state court, though some federal charges have been filed as well.

The social services programs involved include Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, previously known as food stamps), Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), Hurricane Sandy relief, Section 8 housing, Social Security and the Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund.

Zalmen and Tzipporah Sorotzkin

The rabbi of Congregation Lutzk, at 520 New Egypt Road, has been charged with his wife of second-degree theft by deception, and is accused of wrongfully collecting $338,642 in Medicaid, food stamp, Housing and Urban Development and Supplementary Security Income benefits between January 2009 and April 2014.

The couple live in a home built last year at a net value of $885,100, according to tax records. The home, which is owned by the synagogue and classified under "church and charitable property," had a taxable value of $18,212.88 in 2016, records show.

Mordechai and Rachel Sorotzkin

Mordechai Sorotzkin, the brother of defendant Zalmen Sorotzkin, was charged by the FBI in U.S. District Court along with his wife. Both face one count each of conspiring to steal government funds.

The couple has been accused of wrongfully collecting approximately $96,000 in Medicaid and other benefits by underreporting at least $1.5 million in income from a limited-liability corporation — identified in tax records as Brain Builders LLC, an autism-treatment provider — of which, authorities said, Rachel Sorotzkin was a partner.

Yocheved and Shimon Nussbaum

Yocheved and Shimon Nussbaum also have been charged in federal court with conspiring to steal government funds, and have been accused by the FBI of wrongfully collecting $178,000 in Medicaid and other benefits by underreporting more than $2 million in income.

Court records show the couple controlled a number of businesses run by relatives, including a daycare and a real estate company.

Yitzchok and Sora Kanarek

The Kanareks were arrested earlier this month on state charges of second-degree theft by deception, and have been accused by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office of wrongfully collecting approximately $339,002 in Medicaid, food stamp, housing and SSI benefits between January 2009 and July 2014.

The couple live in a home owned assessed in 2016 at a net value of $375,800, according to tax records. The home's owners, another family in Lakewood, were taxed $11,010.94 for the property that year.

Chaim and Liatt Ehrman

One of three couples arrested earlier this month the Ehrmans also face charges of second-degree theft by deception, and have been accused of collecting approximately $185,692.22 in benefits that prosecutors said included Hurricane Sandy relief payments.

The couple’s home, which they purchased in 2013, was last assessed at $366,000, according to tax records. The property was taxed at $10,741.38 in 2016, records show.

William and Faigy Friedman

The prosecutor’s office said the Friedmans, who also were arrested earlier this month, collected approximately $149,842 in benefits they weren’t entitled to, including payments from the state’s Home Energy Assistance Program. The couple live in a home they purchased last May for $220,000. The property was taxed at $7,738.13 that year, records show.

Eliezer and Elkie Sorotzkin

Eliezer, 33, and Elkie, 31, Sorotzkin, of Isabella Drive, are accused of wrongfully collecting approximately $74,960 in Medicaid benefits from January 2011 and December 2013.

Samuel and Esther Serhofer

Samuel, 45, and Esther, 44, Serhofer, of Whispering Pine Lanes, are accused of illegally obtaining $72,685 in Medicaid benefits between January 2009 and December 2013.

Tax records show the Samuel Serhofer owns a Whispering Pines Lane home with an assessed value of $294,200. Last year, he was taxed $8,620.06 for that property.

He also owns a property on New Hampshire Avenue with an assessed value of $117,700, for which he paid $3,448.61 in property taxes in 2016.

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Yisroel and Rachel Merkin

Yisroel, 37, and Rachel, 34, Merkin allegedly illegally collected approximately $70,557 in Medicaid, SNAP and HEAP benefits between January 2011 and December 2014.

Tax records show the Merkins bought their Hermosa Drive residence for $1 in 2013, which was assessed at $285,300 in 2016. The couple paid $8,359.29 in property taxes last year.

Jerome Menchel and Mottel Friedman

Jerome Menchel, 33, and Mottel Friedman, 30, of Pressburg Lane, are accused of collecting $63,839 in Medicaid and SNAP benefits between January 2011 and July 2014.

Tzvi and Estee Braun

Tzvi, 35, and Estee, 34, Braun, of Ridge Avenue, allegedly collected $62,746 in illegal benefits from Medicaid, HEAP and Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund (CICRF) between January 2009 and December 2013.

Tax records show the Brauns bought their Ridge Avenue residence for $419,000 in 2010. Last year, the home was assessed at $416,200, and the couple paid $12,194.66 in property taxes.

Moshe and Nechama Hirschmann

Moshe, 30, and Nechama, 27, Hirschmann, of Emmanuel Drive, are accused of wrongfully collecting $53,418 in Medicaid and SNAP benefits from January 2011 and December 2015.

More charges possible

Authorities say the investigation remains ongoing, and that these individuals may face additional charges as their cases proceed through the legal process.

Anyone with any information can contact Sgt. Mark Malinowski of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-929-2027.

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