Unemployment Checks for Convicted Murderer

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published March 12, 2012

By Maria Laus, Author - LawCrossing

At this point it is unclear whether Garcia, also known as “Chopper”, will face charges for the fraud which ran from October 2008 to March 2010. Garcia obviously did not qualify for benefits during his time in jail but his guilt is questionable because he did not fill out the unemployment forms or cash the checks. Instead, he relied on others to do the dirty work and only accessed the money after it was deposited into his jail account.

In order to receive unemployment, Garcia was required to submit a biweekly claim form attesting to the fact that he was looking for work and had no limitations on accepting a job offer. Furthermore, in November of 2009, Garcia’s father, Juan Garcia, allegedly called the EDD and identified himself as his son in an effort to prolong the benefits.

Those involved, aside from Anthony Garcia, were charged early last week at Whittier Court. Juan Garcia, the inmate’s 47-year-old father, faces more than 30 years in prison for charges including 13 counts of second-degree commercial burglary and two counts of false statement, representation, or concealment. “Chopper’s” girlfriend, Sandra Jaimez, 45, could receive up to 25 years and four months for eight counts of second-degree commercial burglary; three counts of false statement, representation, or concealment; and one count of possession for sale of methamphetamines. His other girlfriend, 25-year-old Cynthia Limas, faces as many as seven years in prison. All pleaded not guilty. They will return to the court this week to schedule a preliminary hearing.

Anthony Garcia, 25, is currently in jail for the 2004 murder of Juan Juarez, for which he faces a sentence of 65 years to life. Juarez, a 23-year-old rival gang member, was shot outside of a liquor store in Pico Rivera, California.

The Sheriff’s Department routinely takes photos of suspected gang members and that is exactly what they did when Garcia was picked up on a routine traffic stop. Later, while going through the photos, a detective noticed a tattoo on Garcia’s chest depicting the murder scene. Detectives, disguised as gang members, later managed to get Garcia to confess.

"It's no wonder the state is facing such financial difficulties. 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," commented District Attorney Steve Cooley.

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