Ex-DES worker accused of creating families to get benefits

PHOENIX (AP) - A former eligibility worker at the Department of Economic Security has been charged with creating fake families and then collecting thousands of dollars in welfare and food stamp benefits.

An indictment released Thursday by the Arizona Attorney General's office accused Alina Nashae Lipsey of collecting more than $36,000 in mostly cash aid between October 2010 and June 2011.

Attorney General's spokesman Ryan Anderson says a co-worker discovered the alleged fraud. Lipsey was placed on leave and left the agency about six month later.

The Attorney General's office was asked to file charges in 2013, but Anderson says the case was delayed the case because of inaction by a former deputy attorney general.

Anderson didn't know if Lipsey has a lawyer who could comment on the charges for her.