Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on Wednesday, March 20 that on Tuesday, March 19, 38-year-old Guadalupe Mendez of King City, pled guilty to felony welfare fraud. The plea was taken by Monterey County Superior Court Judge Carrie Panetta.
Between the months of March 2014 and November 2014, Mendez was receiving both cash aide (CalWorks) and food stamps (CalFresh) claiming that she was unemployed and needed these benefits to support her family. A subsequent investigation by the Department of Social Services and the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office revealed that Mendez was in fact employed and receiving income through In Home Support Services (IHSS).
This resulted in her household receiving income well above the income threshold level to receive any benefits. In addition, it was discovered that Mendez had misrepresented her employment and income on her eligibility status reports as well as to the Department of Social Services. Mendez’s misrepresentations resulted in a total over payment of $9,585.00 in benefits
Mendez will be sentenced on April 25 and faces 3 years of formal felony probation, up to 365 days in jail, and will be ordered to pay back the loss directly to the Department of Social Services.
It is illegal to use benefits belonging to another or benefits obtained using misrepresentations. The Monterey County Department of Social Services along with the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office has a welfare fraud tip line. If you have information regarding welfare fraud you can leave an anonymous tip at (831)755-3224.
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