Release Date:   April 24, 2008

Contact:    Vinse Gilliam, Deputy Chief Investigator

                 (805) 477-1650

District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Amy Flores (DOB 07/28/78), a resident of Fillmore, was arrested pursuant to a felony warrant for welfare fraud, housing assistance fraud and social security fraud. The arrest was the result of an extensive investigation by the District Attorney's Bureau of Investigation - Government Fraud Unit. Flores is alleged to have received $38,592 in public assistance funds from three separate government programs for which she was not legally entitled.

The three count felony complaint alleges that Flores received the illegal public assistance benefits over a period of three years. Between March 2005 and April 2007, Flores received $13,169 in food stamps and cash aid from the Ventura County Human Services Agency for which she was not entitled. Flores also received $7,909 in housing benefits from the Ventura County Area Housing Authority for which she was not legally entitled. Between January 2006 and August 2007, Flores, as the legal guardian for a minor child who was supposed to be living in her home, diverted $17,514 from the Social Security Administration, which was intended for the benefit of the minor. Under penalty of perjury, Flores reported substantially different information to the three public assistance agencies with respect to her household composition, income and sources of public assistance.

Flores was arrested by Ventura County Sheriff's Department deputies and booked into the Ventura County jail. In issuing the warrant for her arrest, Superior Court Judge David Long set bail at $10,000. If convicted on the felony charges and special allegations, Flores faces a maximum sentence of four years and four months in state prison.