Charges have been brought against a former State of Arizona employee for EBT card financial fraud. An investigation conducted by agents from the Department of Economic Security, Office of the Special Investigations and Internal Affairs revealed Alina Nashae Lipsey used her position as a Program Service Evaluator for the Department of Economic Security – Family Assistance Administration to fraudulently obtain cash assistance and food stamp benefits.
Charges against Lipsey allege that she created false client families and approved those families for cash assistance and food stamps. EBT cards were then mailed to P.O. boxes rented in Lipsey’s name and the benefits were expended. In total, $36,168 was fraudulently obtained and spent. The conduct reportedly occurred from October 2010 through June 2011.
On May 27, 2015, the State Grand Jury indicted Lipsey on the following charges: Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices, Fraudulent Schemes and Practices, Theft, Aggravated Taking the Identity of Another, Unlawful Use of Food Stamps, ten counts of Computer Tampering, and ten counts of Obtaining a Credit Card by Fraudulent Means.
The case agent is Chief Law Enforcement Officer Jackie Roberson of the Arizona Department of Economic Security. The investigation also was conducted by Investigator Gerald Jacques of the Office of Special Investigations.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Michael Powell.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.