3 Arrested for Food Stamp Fraud

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March 21, 2014

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Forty-one-year-old Irene Hernandez of Edinburg, 36-year-old Joleen Garcia of Elsa and 51-year-old Ester Sanchez of Edinburg were case workers at the Texas Department of Health and Human services office in Edinburg, until an investigation revealed they were part of a food stamp scheme.

Hernandez, Sanchez and Garcia were arraigned Friday by hidalgo county justice of the peace bobby Contreras, on theft of public servant and organized criminal activity charges.

According to the investigation, Irene Hernandez robbed more than $142,000 in benefits.

The other two suspects robbed close to $30,000 each.

The three suspects are accused of running the scheme for more than 2 years until their arrest this Thursday.

Hernandez was issued a $100,000 bond.

Sanchez and Garcia were slapped with $60,000 bonds each.
The U.S. Department of agriculture office the inspector general is investigating the case.

No word yet on how the suspects spent the money.
http://www.foxrio2.com/3-arrested-for-food-stamp-fraud/