Ex-state worker gets jail time and probation for food stamp scam

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Ebony Martin, a former caseworker for the Illinois Department of Human Services, was sentenced to probation and jail time for her food stamp scam. Martin created a fake file for her boyfriend, Keith Jones. The file gave Jones a set of imaginary triplets with social security numbers. It allowed for Jones to receive more government food aid. Jones was charged in March with felony theft and state benefits fraud.

NBC Chicago reports that DuPage County Judge Robert Kleeman sentenced Martin to 30 days in jail, three years of probation, and $21,000 in restitution for the stolen food aid.  Including time served, Martin will be in jail for 13 days.

“It’s more than just a bad decision,” Kleeman said. “The public placed its trust in this defendant. She abused it. There’s no other way to put it. She knowingly and intentionally gave away public funds.”

Martin also sold some of the proceeds to friends and family. The Illinois Inspector General’s Office received a tip last year which helped them to uncover the scheme.

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