A former employee of the Department of Children and Families has been arrested, accused of stealing $1.3 million in a welfare scam, according to law enforcement reports.
The ex-employee has been accused of obtaining and using other people's identities in order to get food stamps. The accused worked for nine years as an eligibility caseworker and processor for DCF.
Prosecutors said that the accused worked with some businesses to convert the food stamps into cash, which she split with the businesses. The accused also is accused of collecting money in the form of supposed fees of various sorts for the processing and receipt of Florida Medicaid benefits, the State Attorney's Office said.
She is accused of stealing a total of $1.3 million.
The accused was arrested on charges of racketeer influenced and corrupt organization, conspiracy to commit RICO, public assistance fraud trafficking, official misconduct, unlawful compensation, criminal use of personal identification, grand theft and petit theft.
DCF representatives said that the accused resigned her position in 2009.
The accused is being held on $835,500 bond.
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