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BROOME COUNTY, N.Y. -- Broome County is cracking down on welfare fraud.

County Executive Debbie Preston announced over $5 million in savings through the county's prevention measures Thursday. The total includes over $4 million in benefits that were applied for, fraudulently. Another $1 million in fraud was uncovered through ongoing investigations by Broome Security.

Officials say they will keep working to make sure assistance is available only to those who need it.

"Just as it is available to those who are in need, it is routinely investigated to control fraud and abuse. This, I have to say, is only the beginning. As long as there continues to be abuse, there will continue to be investigations and I have to tell you Broome County will win," said Preston.

Preston says Broome County is one of the leaders in detecting welfare fraud in New York State.