SANTA ANA, Calif. – The Orange County Grand Jury unsealed indictments last week on welfare fraud and perjury charges for two women. Liza Marina Sandoval, 43, Irvine, was indicted Nov. 15, 2016, by the Orange County Grand Jury on one felony count of aid by misrepresentation over $950 and three felony counts of perjury by false application for aid (Case # 16ZF0008). If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of six years and eight months in county jail plus restitution. Sandoval was arraigned on the indictment on Jan. 6, 2017, and is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing on March 17, 2017, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-5, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

Norma Angelica Salcedo, 47, Tustin, was indicted Dec. 14, 2016, by the Orange County Grand Jury on one felony count of aid by misrepresentation over $950 and four felony counts of perjury by false application for aid (Case # 16ZF0009). If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of seven years and eight months in county jail plus restitution. Salcedo was arraigned on the indictment on Jan. 6, 2017, and is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing on March 17, 2017, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-5, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

Circumstances of the Cases

Between July 2013 and September 2014, Sandoval is accused of failing to report her employment at an engineering firm when she applied for welfare benefits under penalty of perjury through the Orange County Social Services Agency (SSA). The defendant received an overpayment of $13,049 in food stamps due to her omission.

Between June 2013 and April 2014, Salcedo is accused of applying for welfare benefits through SSA under penalty of perjury and failing to disclose her job as a nanny. The defendant received $5,295 in food stamps that she was not entitled to while she was paid $37,076 by her employer.

“Integrity in public funds is important not only to safeguard public money but also to make sure that these funds are available to those who are in desperate circumstances and in need,” stated District Attorney Tony Rackauckas.

The Orange County District Attorney's Office's Public Assistance Division encourages anyone with information about suspected welfare fraud to call in to our designated tip line at 714-347-8636.

Deputy District Attorney Nikki Chambers of the Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting this case.

Orange County District Attorney / Case # 16ZF0008 / 16ZF0009 / January 10, 2017