California Food Stamp Official Sending Benefits to Dead People – Then Spending Them
Federal prosecutors have charged a longtime California welfare worker with running a multi-year fraud scheme involving food assistance benefits and deceased individuals.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced the arrest of Leticia Mariscal, 55, a former Madera County benefits eligibility worker.
Authorities allege that Mariscal stole tens of thousands of dollars in CalFresh benefits, California’s version of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, by exploiting her access to county databases. The alleged fraud occurred between December 2020 and April 2025.
A former #MaderaCounty benefits eligibility worker was arrested, charged for allegedly stealing more than $40,000 in CalFresh benefits between December 2020 and April 2025.https://t.co/SkM8NYKyi8 pic.twitter.com/cJuNEtwr8z
— FBI Sacramento (@FBISacramento) December 12, 2025
Prosecutors say Mariscal accessed personal information for elderly and deceased individuals and secretly approved them for CalFresh benefits. She allegedly printed EBT cards in their names, then spent the benefits herself. Federal authorities report that more than 15 identities were used in the scheme, with total losses exceeding $40,000.
The case reportedly came to light after the son of a 91-year-old nursing home resident questioned why his mother was receiving food assistance. Investigators later confronted Mariscal with security footage, and prosecutors say she admitted to the conduct, attempting to shift blame to a former boyfriend she described as a gang member and claiming fear for her safety motivated her actions.
Mariscal was placed on leave earlier this year after the fraud was discovered. The FBI conducted the investigation with support from the Madera County District Attorney’s Office.
If convicted, Mariscal faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
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