Angela Stubblefield, Disability Benefits Fraud and Identity Theft, California 2020

A Tacoma, Washington resident has been sentenced to prison for her role in a disability benefits fraud and identity theft scheme that targeted the State of California.

Angela Stubblefield, 49, was sentenced to two years and six months in prison for her involvement in a scheme to defraud the State of California by filing fraudulent claims for disability insurance benefits with the California Employment Development Department (EDD),

According to court documents, between June 14, 2013, and May 1, 2017, Stubblefield and her co-defendant Katherine Decker participated in a scheme to defraud the State of California by filing fraudulent claims for disability insurance benefits with the California Employment Development Department (EDD).

The scheme resulted in 15 fraudulent disability claims, resulting in a loss to the EDD of approximately $373,566. Additionally, Stubblefield and Decker used Decker's position as an employee with the EDD to file fraudulent claims for disability benefits and to fraudulently extend existing disability claims, using the names and identities of real persons with and without their knowledge.

“EDD employees rigorously work to protect the confidentiality of our claimant’s information and the integrity of the Disability Insurance program for Californians in need,” said EDD Director Sharon Hilliard. “We are grateful for the partnership of our federal and state partners in prosecuting any violator of that policy to the fullest extent of the law.”

This case was the product of an investigation by EDD’s Investigation Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shea J. Kenny and Amy S. Hitchcock prosecuted the case.

Stubblefield was ordered to report to begin service of her sentence by February 1, 2021. Her co-defendant Katherine Decker was previously sentenced to three years and seven months in prison for the disability benefits fraud and identity theft scheme on September 14.

The exact criminal charges against Stubblefield are disability benefits fraud and identity theft. The crime occurred in Sacramento, California, between June 14, 2013, and May 1, 2017. Stubblefield was ordered to pay $219,871 in restitution as part of her sentence.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edca/pr/california-edd-fraudster-sentenced-disability-benefits-fraud-and-identity-theft