Friday, November 25, 2016

Central Florida Woman Faces Accusations Of Fraudulently Buying, Using Social Security Card To Gain Access To Public Housing, Scoring $12K+ In Federal Rent Subsidies

In Pasco County, Florida, the Tampa Bay Times reports:
  • A Dade City woman was arrested [] on a charge of public assistance fraud, accused of using a fake Social Security card to gain access to public housing, according to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office.

    Cecilia Alvarez, 33, told detectives she purchased the Social Security card for $100 from someone's home in the Dade City area, according to an arrest report. Armed with the card, Alvarez was able to move into Cypress Farms, a housing complex in Lacoochee managed by the Pasco County Housing Authority.

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture subsidizes rent for residents in Cypress Farms. Detectives said the department provided Alvarez with $12,713 in rental assistance.

    In order to be eligible for assistance, residents must be either American citizens or in the country legally. Alvarez was born in Mexico, but her legal status was not available [].

    Alvarez was released [] from the Land O'Lakes Detention Center after posting $5,000 bail.