COUNTYWIDE : 3 More Plead Guilty in Welfare Fraud
Three more defendants pleaded guilty Friday for their role in what prosecutors say is the largest welfare fraud case ever uncovered in San Diego County. Rojean Rittmiller, Patricia Padilla and Cristina Lieras pleaded guilty to one count each.
Padilla pleaded guilty to a felony count of embezzling more than $20,000 in welfare funds, while Rittmiller pleaded guilty to a felony count of simple welfare fraud. Lieras pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of welfare fraud.
Prosecutors said the three women agreed to testify against the ringleaders in exchange for leniency. Twenty former county employees and accomplices were charged in the scheme, which prosecutors said defrauded the county of up to $1 million.
Alleged ringleaders Victoria Clarissa Aguirre and Angela M. Nieto, who are former county employees, are among the remaining four defendants who have not reached a plea bargain with prosecutors. The other two defendants are Michael Hernandez, who is Aguirre’s brother, and Hernandez’s wife, Kathleen.
Padilla is Aguirre’s sister. Padilla’s daughter, Suzette Padilla, who has pleaded guilty in the scheme, is also expected to testify against Aguirre.
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