Candidate to Be Sentenced in Fraud Case

A Hawaiian Gardens City Council candidate is scheduled for sentencing Friday in Norwalk Superior Court in a welfare fraud case that could bar her from holding public office if she is elected on Tuesday.

Mary Corrales, a 43-year-old housewife and part-time city public safety commissioner, pleaded no contest in Bellflower Municipal Court last month to four felony counts of welfare fraud and perjury in connection with benefits she obtained for her four children between June, 1988, and August, 1991.

The Los Angeles County district attorney’s office said Corrales perjured herself by claiming in three sworn statements that she had no income, when in fact she had received an auto insurance settlement and wages for a part-time job in addition to a $30 monthly stipend for attending Public Safety Commission meetings. Corrales knew the disclosure would make her ineligible for benefits from the county Department of Public Social Services, officials said.

As a result of the misrepresentation, Corrales received $10,121 more in aid for her children than she was entitled to over the three-year period, authorities said. Corrales got about $800 a month in financial aid and food stamps for her children, even though she was not entitled to assistance during some months because of her income.

Authorities said Corrales agreed to five years of probation, up to a year in County Jail and full restitution of the excess payments. She will be sentenced at 8:30 a.m. Friday in Department M of the Norwalk court.

Corrales, a city commissioner since 1986, could not be reached for comment on the case. She is one of 12 candidates seeking three seats in the City Council.

City Atty. Maurice O’Shea said if Corrales is sentenced on a felony charge, her right to hold office is subject to legal challenge should she be elected.