More Los Angeles County employees were charged for fraudulently receiving unemployment benefits during the coronavirus pandemic while they were working full time for the county, the LA County District Attorney’s Office said Friday.
Eleven additional county employees were facing felony grand theft charges for their alleged stealing of jobless benefits between 2020 and 2023, just a month after 13 county workers were accused of stealing a combined $430,000.
Among the newly charged people, several of them worked for the Department of Health Services at the time of the alleged theft.
One employee, Georgette McKinney, a supervising child support specialist for the Child Support Services, stole over $55,000 with her own identity – in addition to stealing over $76,000, using 28 fictitious identities, the district attorney’s office said.
In another case, Jessica Alcorta was charged for stealing over $36,000 in unemployment benefits while working as a legal office support assistant for the district attorney’s office.
“While the vast majority of Los Angeles County employees ethically fulfill their duties and are dedicated to public service, there are some who exploit the system and betray the public’s trust,” District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a statement. “My message to fraudsters is unequivocal: If you steal from taxpayers, you will be prosecuted.”
The following 11 LA County employees have been charged since Oct. 15:
- Alejandro Mendez Albarado: The Sheriff’s Department’s senior equipment maintenance worker is accused of stealing stole $21,866 in unemployment benefits between June 26 and Dec. 19, 2021.
- Brandon Joseph Batiste: The warehouse employee for the Department of Public Works is accused of stealing $9,349 in unemployment benefits between May 23 and Nov. 20, 2021.
- Dina Liza Wolf: The vocational nurse for the Department of Health Services allegedly stole $11,700 in unemployment benefits between May 16, 2021, and Nov. 18, 2021.
- Elizabeth Jacinto: The eligibility worker for the Department of Social Services allegedly stole $11,700 in unemployment benefits between May 16, 2021, and Nov. 18, 2021.
- Georgette McKinney: The child support specialist is accused of stealing $55,650 in unemployment benefits between July 24, 2020, and Sept. 21, 2021, using her own identity. She is also charged for stealing $76,740 using 28 fictitious identities.
- Jessica Alcorta: The legal office support assistant allegedly stole $36,150 in unemployment benefits between Dec. 17, 2020, and Sept. 24, 2022.
- Khristine Louise Canero: The relief nurse for the Department of Health Services is accused of stealing $11,700 in unemployment benefits between Dec. 6, 2020, and Jan. 24, 2022.
- Manuel Martinez: The electrician for the Department of Health Services allegedly stole $11,700 in unemployment benefits between Dec. 6, 2020, and Jan. 24, 2022.
- Racheal Nalutaaya: The nursing attendant for the Department of Health Services allegedly stole $23,400 in unemployment benefits between Sept. 1, 2021, and March 4, 2022.
- Soo Manai: The vocational nurse for the Department of Health Services allegedly stole stole $11,829 in unemployment benefits from Dec. 22, 2021, to March 10, 2022.
- Terry Beasley II: The detention services officer for the Probation Department is accused of stealing $11,700 in unemployment benefits from Sept. 30, 2022, until April 2, 2023
Ten of the accused are facing one felony count of grand theft. If convicted as charged, they could each face a maximum sentence of three years in state prison.
McKinney is additionally charged with two felony counts of grand theft and one count of grand theft of access card account information, as well as an aggravated white collar crime sentencing enhancement. She faces a maximum sentence of seven years in state prison.
The DA’s office said it will seek restitution from each defendant.
The LA County Auditor-Controller’s Office asked community members to report financial crime committed by government workers.
“We rely on a variety of different avenues to become aware of allegations of fraud, waste and abuse, and one of the most important is whistleblower tips,” Assistant Auditor-Controller Robert Campbell said. “We operate an anonymous fraud hotline so we strongly encourage you to come forward.”
Any fraud can be reported by using the website or calling 800-544-6861.
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