MADERA, California — Leticia Mariscal, a 55-year-old former benefits eligibility worker from Madera, was arrested on charges of stealing tens of thousands of dollars in CalFresh benefits, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced. The alleged scheme involved using county databases to access information of elderly or deceased individuals to fraudulently obtain benefits.
Between December 2020 and April 2025, Mariscal reportedly used her job access to county databases to acquire identifying information of more than 15 individuals, according to court records. She then approved these individuals for CalFresh benefits, printed EBT cards in their names, and spent the funds, totaling over $40,000. Mariscal was placed on leave earlier this year when the scheme was uncovered…