Each employee faces three years in state prison if convicted as charged

LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office has charged 13 Los Angeles County employees from seven different agencies with felony grand theft for stealing a combined $437,383 in state unemployment benefits between 2020 and 2023.

"As government employees, we have an obligation to uphold the public's trust," Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. "When a civil servant steals from the government, that trust is broken. The scale of fraud in these cases is shocking, spanning seven different County agencies, including employees whose very job was to help the public determine whether they were eligible for public benefits. Most egregiously, these individuals allegedly claimed to be unemployed during the COVID pandemic when millions of Californians were legitimately in need of unemployment benefits. I thank Los Angeles County Auditor-Controller Oscar Valdez for his partnership and commitment to holding government employees accountable. Today, we are putting all government employees on notice: If you steal from taxpayers, you will be prosecuted."

Each of the 13 Los Angeles County employees was charged with one felony count of grand theft and one lesser included misdemeanor offense.

While working for Los Angeles County and receiving County paychecks between 2020 and 2023, the defendants allegedly submitted fraudulent unemployment insurance claims to the California Employment Development Department in which they falsely claimed, under penalty of perjury, that they earned less than $600 per week during each two-week claim period. In fact, the employees earned more than $600 a week, making them ineligible for unemployment benefits.

"While any fraud against public benefit programs is a violation, fraud committed by County workforce members taking advantage of enhanced public assistance benefits during a public health emergency is particularly egregious," said Los Angeles County Auditor-Controller Oscar Valdez. "Public service is a public trust, and every County employee has an obligation to serve honestly and with integrity. The vast majority of our employees do, working tirelessly to serve the County's most vulnerable residents. For the few who fail to live up to that standard and violate the public trust, we work with our partners - particularly the Los Angeles County District Attorney - to ensure they are held accountable. We are grateful for that partnership, and the District Attorney's willingness to review and take action on these cases."

The following cases were filed on Oct. 9 and 10:

• Alla Agamalian (dob 3/26/83). Case 25CJCF06620. Justice, Care and Opportunity Department Administrative Services Manager. Allegedly stole $37,800 in unemployment benefits between Oct. 1, 2020, and March 25, 2023. Arraignment is set for Nov. 13 in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

• Aurora Lopez Bautista (dob 10/28/67). Case 25CJCF06640. Department of Public Social Services Eligibility Worker. Allegedly stole $9,349 in unemployment benefits between April 1, 2020, and Jan. 10, 2022. Arraignment is set for Nov. 20 in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

• Derrick Anthony Callella (dob 7/25/83). Case 25CJCF06641.Department of Health Services Intermediate Clerk. Allegedly stole $9,984 in unemployment benefits between May 6, 2020, and Jan. 20, 2022.Arraignment is set for Nov. 20 in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

• Donisha Nicole Brumfield (dob 8/13/83). Case 25CJCF06622.Child Support Services Department Secretary.Allegedly stole $39,600 in unemployment benefits between Oct. 1, 2020, and March 25, 2023. Arraignment is set for Nov. 6 in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

• Ivan Jacob Mariscal (dob 12/24/75). Case 25CJCF06639. Department of Public Social Services Eligibility Worker. Allegedly stole $11,700 in unemployment benefits between May 6, 2020, and May 11, 2022. Arraignment is set for Nov. 13 in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

• Jessica Antonia Chandler (dob 5/9/88). Case 25CJCF06623. Department of Children and Family Services Children's Social Worker. Allegedly stole $48,900 in unemployment benefits between July 12, 2020, and Jan. 8, 2022. Arraignment is set for Nov. 14 in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

• Chandra Kameko Tisdale (dob 2/13/76). Case 25CJCF06645. Department of Children and Family Services Children's Social Worker. Allegedly stole $57,900 in unemployment benefits between March 22, 2020, and Oct. 23, 2021. The case was filed for warrant.

• Kelley Collins (dob 4/4/70). Case 25CJCF06631. Department of Public Social Services Eligibility Supervisor. Allegedly stole $56,400 in unemployment benefits between March 8, 2020, and Oct. 15, 2021. The case was filed for warrant.

• Mary Theresa Thomas (dob 3/19/70). Case 25CJCF06637.Department of Children and Family Services Children's Social Worker. Allegedly stole $10,350 in unemployment benefits between Sept. 24, 2020, and Nov. 16, 2021.Arraignment is set for Nov. 6 in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

• Raquel Martinez-Alvarez (dob 2/21/85). Case 25CJCF06604. Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Non-Sworn Security employee. Allegedly stole $54,900 in unemployment benefits between April 12, 2020, and Oct. 9, 2021. The case was filed for warrant.

• Shalita Viola Hammell (dob 5/4/79). Case 25CJCF06624.Department of Children and Family Services Human Services Aide. Allegedly stole $35,850 in unemployment benefits between Nov. 6, 2020, and Dec. 2, 2021.Arraignment is set for Nov. 6 in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

• Toni Chereece Pittmon (dob 8/24/69). Case 25CJCF06638.Department of Children and Family Services Secretary. Allegedly stole $52,950 in unemployment benefits between July 1, 2020, and Dec. 12, 2022. Arraignment is set for Nov. 6 in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

The following case was filed on Aug. 19:

• Ynna Aghabegian (dob 11/3/90). Case 25CJCF05281. Department of Auditor-Controller Senior Accountant-Auditor. Allegedly stole $11,700 in unemployment benefits between Oct. 21, 2021, and April 2022. She pleaded not guilty at arraignment on Sept. 24. A preliminary hearing setting is scheduled for Jan. 26 at the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

If convicted as charged, the defendants each face a maximum sentence of three years in state prison.

The cases are being prosecuted by the Public Integrity Division and remain under investigation by the Los Angeles County Department of Auditor-Controller, Office of County Investigations.

The Los Angeles County Auditor-Controller's Office of County Investigations operates the Los Angeles County Fraud Hotline and investigates fraud, waste, and abuse within County government involving County employees, contractors, vendors, and others where the County is a party at interest. The Auditor-Controller's Office estimates that the County has lost over $3.75 million due to pandemic unemployment insurance fraud either committed by LA County employees (an estimated $1.7 million) or by criminals at large fraudulently using Los Angeles County employee's identities.

Overall, Los Angeles County public and private employers lost an estimated $10 billion to pandemic-era EDD fraud.

Members of the public are encouraged to report any known or suspected incidents of fraud, waste, or abuse involving the County to the Fraud Hotline at fraud.lacounty.gov or (800) 544-6861.

The charges filed in these cases are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.