DOWNEY -- A 45-year-old Downey woman was arrested for allegedly helping her jailed boyfriend collect unemployment benefits while he was incarcerated on murder charges, Los Angeles Sheriff's Department officials said Sunday.Sandra Jaimez was charged with 10 counts of second degree burglary, conspiracy, unemployment fraud, possession of controlled substance for sales (methamphetamines) and a gang enhancement. Her bail was set at $600,000. Jaimez allegedly helped to collect bi-weekly unemployment checks for Anthony "Chopper" Garcia that totaled $1,600 per month. Inmates are not legally entitled to unemployment benefits. Jaimez, along with Garcia's father, Juan Garcia, and another girlfriend, Cynthia Limas, allegedly cashed the checks and deposited a portion of the money into the jail accounts to benefit Anthony Garcia and other gang members. The three suspects cashed about $20,000 checks in total from October 2008 to March 2010, investigators said. The unemployment checks were mailed to addresses in Downey, La Habra and Menifee. All three are scheduled to be arraigned Monday at Whittier Superior Court. "It's no wonder the state is facing such financial difficulties," district attorney Steve Cooley said. "Taxpayer money is being given away to criminals and others who don't deserve these benefits. The most alarming element is that the state does not have effective methods to detect and prevent fraudulent claims."

********** Published: March 08, 2012 - Volume 10 - Issue 47