COUNTYWIDE : More Welfare Fraud Prosecutors Sought

Ventura county would double its staff to prosecute welfare fraud cases under an agreement proposed between the Ventura County district attorney’s office and the county’s Public Social Services Agency.

The agreement, to be considered on Tuesday by the Board of Supervisors, would qualify the county for state and federal funds to pay the salaries of a full-time attorney, a part-time attorney and a legal assistant.

At present, the district attorney has one attorney and a legal assistant each working part-time to prosecute welfare fraud cases.

The agreement would qualify the county for about $15,000 for this year and $66,000 next year. The funds would pay 87% of the salaries of the welfare fraud prosecution team. The county would pay the balance.

If approved, the new staff members would begin work in July.

The county investigates about 80 welfare fraud cases a year, according to county officials. Most of the cases involve people who lie on welfare application forms.

For example, a person might say he is out of work to supplement the income from his job, officials said.

Some women have lied on welfare applications about being pregnant to get extra benefits, they said.

Welfare fraud is a felony that is punishable by up to four years in prison, county officials said.