WHEATON, Ill. -
An Illinois caseworker who fabricated triplets so her boyfriend could receive extra food stamps was Monday sentenced to 30 days in jail.
Ebony Martin, 34, was employed at the Illinois Department of Human Services when she created a phony state file for her boyfriend, 38-year-old Keith Jones, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
In it she provided the names and Social Security numbers of fictitious triplets so Jones could receive more government food assistance, prosecutors said.
In less than a year, Jones collected $21,866 in food benefits, the Daily Herald reported. The couple also sold some food stamps to friends and family members at half price.
"She was making a profit on top of defrauding the government," prosecutor Diane Michalak said in court.
Martin pleaded guilty to felony theft of government services and was placed on probation for three years in addition to the jail sentence. She must also pay $21,000 in restitution for the scam.
She was placed on administrative leave from her position, but is expected to be fired, the Sun-Times reported.
Jones, who was charged with felony theft and state benefit fraud, remains on the run.
