A 44-year-old Florida woman, Veronica Torres, has been charged with filing a false public assistance claim totaling almost $8,000 by using her mother’s identity. Torres claimed she had to move out of her home due to hurricane damage. When she arrived to pick up the check, a city employee questioned her appearance, which appeared much younger than the age listed on the application. Torres explained that her youthful appearance was due to botox treatments, but was still asked to return the next day and was subsequently arrested. It is unclear if Torres has an attorney and she is currently out on bond.
The incident took place in Bradenton, a city north of Sarasota impacted by Hurricane Helene in September and Hurricane Milton in October. The case did not appear in online court records as of Saturday. Torres used her mother’s ID, name, and social security number to apply for aid. She is accused of committing a third-degree felony. Bradenton police have confirmed the details of the case.
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