Metro

Ex-MTA driver’s wife defrauds state of $115K in welfare: investigators

The wife of an ex-MTA bus driver was busted Friday for stealing more than $115,000 worth of state welfare benefits, investigators said.

Lizette Cuadrado, 47, of The Bronx, faces 15 years in prison for allegedly taking Medicaid, temporary cash assistance and food stamps — without reporting her husband’s income of more than $70,000 a year.

“This individual is charged with stealing from programs designed to help New Yorkers who need shelter, food and health care for themselves and their families,” said acting state welfare Inspector General Catherine Leahy Scott.

Cuadrado failed to report she was living with her husband Hector Cuadrado, 56, who made $86,054 in 2011 and $74,027 in 2012, state rec­ords show.

The fraudster took $33,057 in cash assistance, $57,563 from Medicaid and $24,818 worth of food stamps, authorities say.