Thirteen Los Angeles County employees face grand theft charges after they were accused of applying for and receiving more than $437,000 in COVID-19 relief funds while still employed by, and receiving paychecks from the county, authorities said Wednesday, Oct. 15.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in an afternoon press conference that the employees received state unemployment benefits between 2020 and 2023. They each face one count of grand theft and one lesser misdemeanor offense.

“It is shocking that these county employees that are receiving their county check every two weeks are telling EDD that we are unemployed and are receiving no money,” Hochman said.

The 13 employees identified by the DA’s office had received anywhere from $9,000 to more than $50,000 in une

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