WOMAN CHARGED WITH STEALING OVER $160,000 IN WELFARE USING FICTITIOUS SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS

WOMAN CHARGED WITH STEALING OVER $160,000 IN WELFARE USING FICTITIOUS SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS
*This is the largest known public assistance fraud case in Orange County

SANTA ANA – A woman accused of using fake social security numbers to steal over $160,000 in welfare in the largest public assistance fraud case in the County was arrested this morning in her Anaheim apartment.  Laura Bianca Razo, 41, is charged with 15 felonies including one count of identity theft, one count of grand theft, one count of making false financial statements, and twelve counts of perjury by declaration. She also faces sentencing enhancements and allegations for stealing over $100,000, aggravated white collar crime over $100,000, and property damage over $150,000.

Razo is being held in on $500,000 and is required to prove that the money is from a legal and legitimate source before posting bail. She faces a maximum sentence of 14 years 4 months in prison if convicted on all counts.  Razo is expected to be arraigned Monday, May 21st, 2007 in Department C-5 or C-57, Central Justice center, Santa Ana.   

Between 1987 and 2006, Razo is accused of using three separate social security numbers and applying for government aid and financial programs. She is accused of using one card for each major application, including public housing assistance, student loans and welfare benefits. Razo is accused of being employed while she was receiving County support funds and hiding her income. She is accused of receiving over $166,000 in Orange County Housing vouchers through Housing and Urban Development, as well as over $43,000 in unpaid college loans while attending Fullerton College and the University of California, Berkeley.

Deputy District Attorney Marc Labreche of the Economic Crimes Unit is prosecuting this case.

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