A former Madera County benefits eligibility worker was arrested on Friday for allegedly stealing CalFresh benefits.

Federal prosecutors claim that Leticia Mariscal, 55, stole tens of thousands of dollars worth of CalFresh benefits during a multiyear scheme.

Driving the news: CalFresh benefits provide financial assistance to qualifying California residents to purchase food.

The big picture: From December 2020 to April 2025, Mariscal allegedly used county databases – which she had access to through her job – to obtain identifying information for people who were elderly or deceased. • Mariscal secretly approved the people to receive CalFresh benefits, printed EBT cards in their names with the benefits deposited and then spent the proceeds. • The Department of Justice said Mariscal used

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