ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE

Case # 16ZF0005-16ZF0009

Date: February 3, 2017

GRAND JURY UNSEALS INDICTMENTS ON WELFARE FRAUD AND PERJURY CHARGES FOR THREE WOMEN

*Two additional indictments were unsealed in January

SANTA ANA, Calif. – The Orange County Grand Jury unsealed three additional indictments today on welfare fraud and perjury charges for three women.

Shayla Frazier, 40, Aliso Viejo, was indicted Aug. 24, 2016, by the Orange County Grand Jury on one felony count of aid by misrepresentation over $950 and four felony counts of perjury by false application for aid (Case # 16ZF0005). Frazier was arraigned on the indictment today, and is set for pretrial on April 12, 2017, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C–49, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

Elisa Cervantes, 39, San Bernardino, was indicted Oct. 19, 2016, by the Orange County Grand Jury on one felony count of aid by misrepresentation over $950 and 12 felony counts of perjury by false application for aid (Case # 16ZF0006). Cervantes was arraigned on the indictment on Feb. 1, 2017, and is set for pretrial on April 19, 2017, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C–57, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana

Ana Acevedo, 33, Costa Mesa, was indicted Nov. 2, 2016, by the Orange County Grand Jury on one felony count of aid by misrepresentation over $950 and six felony counts of perjury by false application for aid (Case # 16ZF0007). Acevedo was arraigned on the indictment today, and is set for pretrial on April 12, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. in Department C–49, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana

The following indictments were unsealed on Jan. 6, 2017:

Liza Marina Sandoval, 43, Irvine, was indicted Nov. 15, 2016, by the Orange County Grand Jury on one felony count of aid by misrepresentation over $950 and three felony counts of perjury by false application for aid (Case # 16ZF0008). Sandoval is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing on March 17, 2017, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-5, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

Norma Angelica Salcedo, 69, Tustin, was indicted Dec. 14, 2016, by the Orange County Grand Jury on one felony count of aid by misrepresentation over $950 and four felony counts of perjury by false application for aid (Case # 16ZF0009). Salcedo is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing on March 17, 2017, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-5, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

Circumstances of the Cases

Frazier Case # 16ZF0005

Between Aug. 14, 2012, and July 31, 2013, Frazier is accused of applying for and receiving cash aid and food stamps. Frazier is accused of submitting forms and applications to the Orange County Social Services Agency (SSA) under penalty of perjury and failing to disclose that she was working at a real estate firm since May 2012, earning over $20,000. Frazier received $10,411 in cash aid and food stamp welfare benefits due to her omission.

Cervantes Case # 16ZF0006

Between July 2012 and March 2015, Cervantes is accused of applying for and receiving welfare benefits for herself and five of her children. Cervantes is accused of submitting forms and applications to the Orange County Social Services Agency (SSA) signed under penalty of perjury and failing to disclose that one of her children left her care to live with an adult sibling in May 2012. The defendant is also accused of living rent-free with a family in La Mirada while continuing to report that she paid rent and utilities in Orange County. Cervantes received a total of $20,991 in cash aid and food stamps that she was not entitled to.

Acevedo Case # 16ZF0007

Between April 2012 and December 2014, Acevedo is accused of receiving cash aid and food stamps after she applied for welfare benefits through SSA. The defendant is accused of signing forms and applications for aid under penalty of perjury while failing to report her employment at a Hospice facility. While earning $83,110 at her job, Acevedo received $23,755 in aid that she was not entitled to.

Sandoval Case # 16ZF0008

Between July 2013 and September 2014, Sandoval is accused of failing to report her employment at an engineering firm when she applied for welfare benefits under penalty of perjury through SSA. The defendant received an overpayment of $13,049 in food stamps due to her omission.

Salcedo Case # 16ZF0009

Between June 2013 and April 2014, Salcedo is accused of applying for welfare benefits through SSA under penalty of perjury and failing to disclose her job as a nanny. The defendant received $5,295 in food stamps that she was not entitled to while she was paid $37,076 by her employer.

“Integrity in public funds is important not only to safeguard public money but also to make sure that these funds are available to those who are in desperate circumstances and in need,” stated District Attorney Tony Rackauckas.

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office’s Public Assistance Division encourages anyone with information about suspected welfare fraud to call in to our designated tip line at 714-347-8636.

Deputy District Attorney Nikki Chambers of the Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting this case.

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TONY RACKAUCKAS, District Attorney

Susan Kang Schroeder, Chief of Staff
Office: 714-347-8408
Cell: 714-292-2718

Public Affairs Unit
Office: 714-347-8405