WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) - Authorities say a woman who collected more than $300,000 in government assistance has been sentenced to 51 months in prison.
During a hearing on Thursday, U.S. District Judge Kenneth Ryskamp said the conduct of Gloria Valle-Clas is “about as low as it gets.” He also ordered her to $283,359 in restitution.
“Conduct like this should incense all Americans,” Ryskamp said. “To be ripping off our government - every agency by every means possible.”
Prosecutors say Valle-Clas and husband Alexander Gonzalez were living the life of luxury on a one-acre, manicured lot in Loxahatchee. They had a swimming pool, a Mercedes, a boat and a greenhouse - all while collecting between $305,000 and $377,000 in food stamps, housing assistance and Medicaid benefits. Records show she used two Social Security numbers.
The Palm Beach Post (https://bit.ly/1lVluej ) reports Gonzalez played a minor role in the schemes and was sentenced to 364 days in prison. He was also ordered to repay the government $9,999. Attorney Jonathan Friedman said a sentence of less than a year may help persuade an immigration judge to allow his client, who is in the United States illegally, to remain here after his sentence is completed.
Records show the scheme began in 2003 when Valle-Clas persuaded the Broward County Housing Authority to give her monthly checks to live in two homes she owned there. The Post reports that by lying about her marital status, bank accounts and ownership of businesses, she got the Boca Raton Housing Authority to pay her rent in the Loxahatchee home.
Court records show that the couple took advantage of government programs created to make sure affordable housing is available for the poor and disabled. They received government money to be both the landlord and tenant of the homes they owned. Valle-Clas, officials say, used multiple names to get food stamps and other cash assistance.
Prosecutor Carolyn Bell said Valle-Clas used two Social Security numbers to cry poverty while persuading banks she was a good credit risk.
“On one hand she said she had no money and was destitute an on the other hand she was applying for loans for tens of thousands of dollars,” Bell said. “This is a crime against every taxpayer in America. Mrs. Valle-Clas was someone who had assets and the means to help herself. Despite that, she took advantage of society.”
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Information from: The Palm Beach (Fla.) Post, https://www.pbpost.com
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