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Mesa County Couple Accused Of Welfare Fraud

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (AP) - A former Mesa County Department of Human Services case manager and her husband are accused of improperly receiving more than $53,000 in welfare benefits.

Police say Tony Padilla Jr. and his wife, Venica, are facing charges of theft, forgery and attempting to influence a public servant.

According to the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, the Padillas are accused of stealing from a program that provides money to parents of adopted children with special needs.

Venica Padilla told authorities she didn't understand the paperwork.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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