News Releases

Twenty-four employees are accused of stealing a combined $741,518 in unemployment benefits between 2020 and 2023

LOS ANGELES – Eleven additional Los Angeles County employees have been charged with felony grand theft for fraudulently claiming unemployment benefits while they were still working full-time between 2020 and 2023.

This follows charges announced in October against 13 Los Angeles County employees accused of stealing unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing the total amount allegedly stolen to $741,518. Watch the news conference and read the news release.

“My office will continue relentlessly rooting out fraud and prosecuting government employees who steal from the public they serve,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. “While the vast majority of Los Angeles County employees ethically fulfill their duties and are dedicated to public service, there are some who exploit the system and betray the public’s trust. My message to fraudsters is unequivocal: If you steal from taxpayers, you will be prosecuted.”

While employed full-time by Los Angeles County between 2020 and 2023, 24 employees allegedly submitted fraudulent unemployment insurance claims to the California Employment Development Department, falsely claiming to be unemployed and earning zero income. In fact, the employees were still employed by Los Angeles County — earning at least $3,000 a month — and were ineligible for benefits. The fraud was largely committed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Not only did the employees omit their employment in their initial unemployment insurance applications, but they also allegedly continued to submit fraudulent income certifications every two weeks for the duration of the fraud, claiming under penalty of perjury that they were unemployed and receiving no income even as they continued to work for Los Angeles County and receive biweekly paychecks. Many of the individuals submitted more than 40 fraudulent income certifications.

Los Angeles County reimbursed the state for the alleged fraudulent benefits.

The following eleven Los Angeles County employees have been charged since Oct. 15. All hearings are taking place in the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

• Alejandro Mendez Albarado (dob 12/11/80). Case 25CJCF06866. Sheriff’s Department senior equipment maintenance worker. Allegedly stole $21,866 in unemployment benefits between June 26 and Dec. 19, 2021. He was arraigned on Nov. 20 and pleaded not guilty. A preliminary hearing setting is scheduled for Jan. 6, 2026, in Department 36.

• Brandon Joseph Batiste (dob 4/26/91). Case 25CJCF07565. Department of Public Works warehouse employee. Allegedly stole $9,349 in unemployment benefits between May 23 and Nov. 20, 2021. He was arraigned on Nov. 25 and pleaded not guilty. A preliminary hearing setting is scheduled for Jan. 9, 2026, in Department 35.

• Dina Liza Wolf (dob 7/26/69). Case 25CJCF06864. Department of Health Services licensed vocational nurse. Allegedly stole $11,700 in unemployment benefits between Jan. 25, 2022, and April 2, 2023. Arraignment is set for Dec. 18 in Department 30.

• Elizabeth Jacinto (dob 7/13/57 ). Case 25CJCF06798. Department of Public Social Services eligibility worker. Allegedly stole $11,700 in unemployment benefits between May 16, 2021, and Nov. 18, 2021. She was arraigned on Nov. 13 and pleaded not guilty. A preliminary hearing setting is scheduled for Jan. 26, 2026, in Department 38.

• Georgette McKinney (dob 10/16/66). Case 25CJCF07149. Child Support Services Department supervising child support specialist. Allegedly stole $55,650 in unemployment benefits between July 24, 2020, and Sept. 21, 2021, using her own identity. McKinney is also accused of stealing $76,740 using 28 fictitious identities. She was arraigned on Nov. 6 and pleaded not guilty. A preliminary hearing setting is scheduled for Dec. 8 in Department 41.

• Jessica Alcorta (dob 4/21/78). Case 25CJCF07855. Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office legal office support assistant. Allegedly stole $36,150 in unemployment benefits between Dec. 17, 2020, and Sept. 24, 2022. Arraignment is set for Jan. 8, 2026, in Department 30.

• Khristine Louise Canero (dob 8/22/90). Case 25CJCF06805. Department of Health Services relief nurse. Allegedly stole $11,700 in unemployment benefits from June 26, 2021, to Dec. 29, 2021. Arraignment is set for Dec. 18 in Department 30.

• Manuel Martinez (dob 1/17/82). Case 25CJCF06804. Department of Health Services electrician. Allegedly stole $11,700 in unemployment benefits between Dec. 6, 2020, and Jan. 24, 2022. He was arraigned on Nov. 14 and pleaded not guilty. A preliminary hearing setting is scheduled for Jan. 27, 2026, in Department 34.

• Racheal Nalutaaya (dob 4/17/83). Case 25CJCF07212. Department of Health Services nursing attendant. Allegedly stole $23,400 in unemployment benefits between Sept. 1, 2021, and March 4, 2022. Arraignment is set for Dec. 18 in Department 30.

• Soo Manai (dob 12/09/56). Case 25CJCF06865. Department of Health Services licensed vocational nurse. Allegedly stole $11,829 in unemployment benefits from Dec. 22, 2021, to March 10, 2022. Arraignment is set for Dec. 18 in Department 30.

• Terry Beasley II (dob 7/15/81). Case 25CJCF06863. Probation Department detention services officer. Allegedly stole $11,700 in unemployment benefits from Sept. 30, 2022, until April 2, 2023. Arraignment is set for Dec. 18 in Department 30.

Ten of the newly charged employees are charged with one felony count of grand theft and one lesser included misdemeanor offense, as were the 13 employees previously charged. If convicted as charged, the defendants each face a maximum sentence of three years in state prison.

McKinney is additionally charged with two felony counts of grand theft and one count of grand theft of access card account information, as well as an aggravated white collar crime sentencing enhancement. She faces a maximum sentence of seven years in state prison.

The District Attorney’s Office will seek restitution from each defendant.

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 Auditor-Controller’s Office estimates Los Angeles County has lost over $3.5 million due to pandemic unemployment insurance fraud either committed by employees (an estimated $1.7 million) or by criminals at large fraudulently using Los Angeles County employee identities.

Members of the public are encouraged to report any known or suspected incidents of fraud, waste or abuse involving Los Angeles 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.