A U.S. Justice Department logo or seal showing Justice Department headquarters, known as "Main Justice," is seen behind the podium in the Department's headquarters briefing room before a news conference with the Attorney General in Washington, January 24, 2023. (Reuters/Kevin Lamarque)
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A former Madera County welfare benefits worker was arrested Friday for allegedly using the identities of elderly and deceased individuals to steal more than $40,000 in CalFresh benefits, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.
Leticia Mariscal, 55, of Madera, worked as a benefits eligibility worker and used her access to county databases between December 2020 and April 2025 to obtain personal information of more than 15 people, according to court records. Prosecutors say she secretly approved these individuals for CalFresh benefits, printed EBT cards in their names, and spent the funds.
Mariscal was placed on leave earlier this year when the scheme was discovered. She was arrested following an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with help from the Madera County District Attorney’s Office.
If convicted, Mariscal faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for theft of benefits, plus an additional two years for misusing other people’s identities, prosecutors said.
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