NORWICH – On Monday, April 11, Colleen J. English, 51, of South Otselic was in Chenango County Court to possibly change her plea with regard to her accused crime of welfare fraud.

English was present in court with her attorney, John Cameron, while First Assistant District Attorney, Michael D. Ferrarese was in court on behalf of the people of Chenango County.

English stood before Chenango County Court Judge Frank B. Revoir Jr., and did indicate that it was her intent to enter a guilty plea to the top charge of welfare fraud in the third degree.

“The understanding is that today my client will plead guilty to welfare fraud in the third degree and be placed on interim probation, with restitution payments due within a year,” said English's attorney John Cameron. “If she pays all of the restitution within the year and abides by the rules of interim probation she will be allowed back to withdraw her felony conviction and enter a plea of guilty to the reduced misdemeanor charge and be sentenced to two additional years of probation.”

Revoir then stated for the record that the total restitution amount owed from English is $6,663, before inquiring with both the prosecution and defense as to what would happen if she is unable to pay the full amount in a calendar year.