Woodlake woman sentenced for welfare fraud

A 26-year-old Woodlake woman has been sentenced to 120 days in county jail and five years felony probation for illegally obtaining $7,206 through fraud.

The woman, identified as Denise Vargas, pled no contest to one count of felony welfare fraud, which arose from their receipt of aid by misrepresentation, the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office said Wednesday in a press release.

An investigation revealed that between March 2010 and May 2011, Vargas made false statements to receive undue compensation and fraudulently obtained the welfare aid.

As a condition of her probation, Vargas is required to pay full restitution to the Tulare County Health and Human Services Agency. If Vargas fails to pay, the judge may sentence her to additional time in custody.

The case was investigated by District Attorney Investigator Alan Hunsaker, and prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Kalina Laleva.