Latest news with #LolaSmallwood-Cuevas
Daily Mail
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
California Dem proposes decriminalizing welfare fraud
A California Democrat has introduced a new bill that would decriminalize certain welfare fraud under $25,000. Los Angeles Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas proposed new legislation that would raise the threshold for prosecution of welfare fraud enacted due to administrative errors. Senate Bill 560 also seeks to axe prosecutions for attempted welfare fraud amounting to less than $950. 'The bill would require a county human services agency to determine whether benefits were authorized as a result of an error in the Statewide Automated Welfare System (CalSAWS) and prohibit the agency from referring a case for criminal action if benefits were authorized in error,' the proposal reads. ' California 's safety net should lift families up, not trap them in poverty,' the lawmaker added in a statement to Fox News Digital . 'Right now, a missed deadline or paperwork mistake can lead to felony charges that tear families apart — even when there's no intent to deceive.' However, around 8,000 welfare fraud cases are identified in Los Angeles County alone each year, according to the county's Department of Public Services. Of these around 200 are referred for prosecution, with a 95 percent conviction rate. Most of the convicted cases will have a court order to pay the county back. has contacted Smallwood-Cuevas for comment. Welfare fraud is among the areas being tackled by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency. The Tesla boss previously revealed staggering data showing there are millions of dead Americans still eligible for social security payments. Musk posted a chart on X showing that there are more than 20 million Americans listed over the age of 100, including 3.9 million in the 130-139 range, more than 3.5 million aged 140-149 and more than 1.3 million in the range 150-159. There was even an 'alive' citizen aged over 360, according to the records. In one shocking case, DOGE said they found someone with a birthday in 2154 who claimed $41,000 in benefits. Musk shared the findings on his X account, claiming he was so stunned by the numbers it took him multiple times to grasp the information. 'Your tax dollars were going to pay fraudulent unemployment claims for fake people born in the future,' Musk said. 'This is so crazy that I had to read it several times before it sank in.'
Newsweek
29-04-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
California Proposes Decriminalizing Welfare Fraud
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. California lawmakers have introduced a proposal that would decriminalize certain forms of welfare fraud. Why It Matters The proposal to decriminalize small-scale welfare fraud in California highlights a broader debate about how the justice system should handle low-level financial offenses, particularly those involving vulnerable populations. Supporters argue that many alleged fraud cases stem from administrative mistakes rather than deliberate wrongdoing, and that criminalizing errors as minor as $25 disproportionately harms low-income individuals. Opponents, however, warn that loosening penalties could encourage broader abuse of public assistance programs and undermine public trust in government services. The legislation comes at a politically sensitive time, as Democrats nationally face criticism from Republicans and some centrist voters for being perceived as softer on crime. Critics argue that measures like this could reinforce those perceptions and become potent talking points in future elections. However, the proposal comes at a time where the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), established by President Donald Trump and led by Elon Musk, has been set up to investigate possible fraud taking place in government agencies and having welfare agencies take the administration into their own hands is in many ways what DOGE was set up to do. State Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, D-Los Angeles, listens to the discussion of a bill at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, June 1, 2023. State Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, D-Los Angeles, listens to the discussion of a bill at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, June 1, 2023. Rich Pedroncelli/AP What To Know California lawmakers are considering a proposal that would decriminalize certain types of welfare fraud under $25,000, according to Fox News. Introduced by Democratic State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, Senate Bill 560 aims to eliminate criminal penalties for welfare overpayments stemming from administrative errors or minor infractions. The legislation, introduced in February, seeks to shift the handling of such cases from the criminal justice system to local welfare agencies. Under SB 560, individuals would not face criminal charges for overpayments under $25,000 if the errors were determined to result from administrative mistakes, such as issues in the Statewide Automated Welfare System (CalSAWS). The bill also proposes eliminating criminal penalties for attempted welfare fraud involving less than $950. "This bill is about keeping families out of the criminal justice system for making administrative errors," the senator wrote in an April 8 Instagram post. "It offers a smarter, more humane approach by allowing counties to resolve most overpayment cases administratively, holding people accountable without criminalizing poverty." However, the proposal has raised concerns among critics who argue it could weaken deterrents against fraud. According to the California Department of Social Services, common types of welfare fraud include failing to report income, listing ineligible or non-resident children on aid applications, and concealing the presence of another parent in the household. In Los Angeles County alone, investigators review 15,000 to 20,000 welfare fraud referrals annually, identifying fraud in about 5,000 to 8,000 cases. Of those, approximately 200 cases are referred to the district attorney's office, with a 95 percent conviction rate. What People Are Saying Lola Smallwood-Cuevas told Fox News Digital: "California's safety net should lift families up, not trap them in poverty. Right now, a missed deadline or paperwork mistake can lead to felony charges that tear families apart—even when there's no intent to deceive." What Happens Next The legislation is set for a hearing on May 5.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
California Dem lawmakers proposes bill to decriminalize welfare fraud below $25K over administrative errors
A bill that would decriminalize welfare fraud under $25,000 in California for simple administrative errors is being pushed by a Democratic lawmaker. State Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas introduced Senate Bill 560, which would delete criminal penalties for welfare fraud below $25,000, and delete a provision for criminal penalties for any attempt at welfare fraud below $950, according to the legislation, which was introduced in February. "California's safety net should lift families up, not trap them in poverty," Smallwood-Cuevas told Fox News Digital. "Right now, a missed deadline or paperwork mistake can lead to felony charges that tear families apart — even when there's no intent to deceive." The lawmaker said the bill "offers a smarter, more humane approach by allowing counties to resolve most overpayment cases administratively, holding people accountable without criminalizing poverty." We're Members Of The House Freedom Caucus. The Us Must Choose: Either $20 Trillion In Debt Or Medicaid Reform The legislation is set for a hearing on May 5. Read On The Fox News App The bill would require a county agency to determine whether the welfare benefits were authorized as a result of an error in the Statewide Automated Welfare System (CalSAWS). It would prohibit a person from being subject to criminal prosecution in certain instances for an overpayment or overissuance of benefits, the bill states. "This bill is about keeping families out of the criminal justice system from making administrative errors on raising the threshold for welfare fraud prosecutions," Smallwood-Cuevas said in an April 8 Instagram post. Los Angeles Issues Only 4 Permits To Rebuild Homes After Devastating Palisades Fire: Report Most welfare fraud occurs when the reported absent parent is actually living in the home, unreported income, using an ineligible child or children not living in the home who are part of the recipient's case, according to the California Department of Social Services. In Los Angeles County, field investigators handle 15,000 to 20,000 fraud cases or referrals, according to the Department of Public Social Services. Annually, investigators find fraud in around 5,000 to 8,000 cases. Of that, 200 cases are sent to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office and 95% result in a article source: California Dem lawmakers proposes bill to decriminalize welfare fraud below $25K over administrative errors
Fox News
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
California Dem lawmakers proposes bill to decriminalize welfare fraud below $25K over administrative errors
A bill that would decriminalize welfare fraud under $25,000 in California for simple administrative errors is being pushed by a Democratic lawmaker. State Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas introduced Senate Bill 560, which would delete criminal penalties for welfare fraud below $25,000, and delete a provision for criminal penalties for any attempt at welfare fraud below $950, according to the legislation, which was introduced in February. "California's safety net should lift families up, not trap them in poverty," Smallwood-Cuevas told Fox News Digital. "Right now, a missed deadline or paperwork mistake can lead to felony charges that tear families apart — even when there's no intent to deceive." The lawmaker said the bill "offers a smarter, more humane approach by allowing counties to resolve most overpayment cases administratively, holding people accountable without criminalizing poverty." The legislation is set for a hearing on May 5. The bill would require a county agency to determine whether the welfare benefits were authorized as a result of an error in the Statewide Automated Welfare System (CalSAWS). It would prohibit a person from being subject to criminal prosecution in certain instances for an overpayment or overissuance of benefits, the bill states. "This bill is about keeping families out of the criminal justice system from making administrative errors on raising the threshold for welfare fraud prosecutions," Smallwood-Cuevas said in an April 8 Instagram post. Most welfare fraud occurs when the reported absent parent is actually living in the home, unreported income, using an ineligible child or children not living in the home who are part of the recipient's case, according to the California Department of Social Services. In Los Angeles County, field investigators handle 15,000 to 20,000 fraud cases or referrals, according to the Department of Public Social Services. Annually, investigators find fraud in around 5,000 to 8,000 cases. Of that, 200 cases are sent to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office and 95% result in a conviction.
