Thirteen employees of Los Angeles County have been charged with theft, accused of filing fraudulent unemployment claims that cost the state over $430,000. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office made this announcement on Wednesday, highlighting the serious nature of the allegations against these government workers.
Each defendant faces a felony count of grand theft along with a lesser misdemeanor charge. The charges stem from claims made while these employees were actively working for the county between the years 2020 and 2023. Prosecutors allege that the defendants falsely reported income, claiming to earn less than $600 per week during the two-week claim periods despite their actual earnings being significantly higher.
District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman expressed his dismay over the actions of these civil servants, emphasizing their responsibility to maintain public trust. In his statement, he said, “As government employees, we have an obligation to uphold the public’s trust. When a civil servant steals from the government, that trust is broken.”
He further described the extent of the fraud, noting that it spanned across seven different county agencies. He mentioned that many of those involved were tasked with assisting the public in determining their eligibility for benefits, further compounding the breach of trust.
Most troubling is the fact that these fraudulent claims were filed during the COVID pandemic, a time when many Californians were genuinely in need of unemployment assistance. The actions of these individuals have not only exploited a system designed to help those in dire situations, but have also raised concerns about the integrity of government operations.
The individuals charged include:
– Alla Agamalian, 42, from the Justice, Care and Opportunity Department, who allegedly stole $37,800 in unemployment benefits from October 1, 2020, to March 25, 2023.
– Aurora Lopez Bautista, 57, from the Department of Public Social Services, accused of stealing $9,349 between April 1, 2020, and January 10, 2022.
– Derrick Anthony Callella, 42, from the Department of Health Services, who allegedly took $9,984 in benefits from May 6, 2020, to January 20, 2022.
– Donisha Nicole Brumfield, 42, a secretary in the Child Support Services Department, claimed $39,600 in benefits from October 1, 2020, to March 25, 2023.
– Ivan Jacob Mariscal, 49, also from the Department of Public Social Services, stole $11,700 from May 6, 2020, to May 11, 2022.
– Jessica Antonia Chandler, 37, a children’s social worker in the Department of Children and Family Services, is accused of stealing $48,900 between July 12, 2020, and January 8, 2022.
– Chandra Kameko Tisdale, 49, another social worker from the same department, allegedly took $57,900 from March 22, 2020, to October 23, 2021.
– Kelley Collins, 55, an eligibility supervisor in the Department of Public Social Services, who purportedly stole $56,400 from March 8, 2020, to October 15, 2021.
– Mary Theresa Thomas, 55, a social worker in the Department of Children and Family Services, illegally gained $10,350 between September 24, 2020, and November 16, 2021.
– Raquel Martinez-Alvarez, 40, a non-sworn security employee of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, is accused of stealing $54,900 from April 12, 2020, to October 9, 2021.
– Shalita Viola Hammell, 46, a human services aide in the Department of Children and Family Services, allegedly claimed $35,850 between November 6, 2020, and December 2, 2021.
– Toni Chereece Pittmon, 56, a secretary in the Department of Children and Family Services, is accused of unlawfully receiving $52,950 from July 1, 2020, to December 12, 2022.
– Ynna Aghabegian, 34, a senior accountant-auditor in the Department of Auditor-Controller, allegedly stole $11,700 between October 21, 2021, and April 2022.
If convicted, each of the defendants could face up to three years in prison, a stark reminder of the legal consequences of theft from government programs.
image source from：patch
