Nine people have been arrested across Santa Barbara County for suspicion of welfare services fraud in a recent warrant sweep operation by law enforcement.
Officers and investigators from various departments collaborated on the operation on Jan. 26, nabbing individuals suspected of either skipping out on their probation or people who have outstanding welfare fraud charges.
The operation was spearheaded by the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office, who conducted the joint operation with assistance from the Santa Barbara County Probation Department, the Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo County sheriff’s departments, and the Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, and Lompoc police departments.
Welfare fraud is the intentional misuse of aid from various state-funded programs, the most common forms of which include failing to report additional income and/or failure to disclose information regarding family household members.
According to a release from the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office, welfare fraud is a felony punishable by up to three years in state prison. Those convicted of welfare fraud and granted probation are required to seek and maintain employment, pay restitution, and maintain contact with a probation officer. —Matt Fountain
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This article appears in Feb 3-10, 2011.