Local woman charged with welfare fraud

Ruby Elizabeth Stirling, 38, of Simi Valley was recently arrested on charges of welfare fraud, identity theft and committing a new felony offense while on bail.

From August through November 2007, Stirling allegedly received $1,694 in cash and food stamps, for which she was not legally eligible, by using fake Social Security numbers similar to her own.

Stirling was first arrested on Oct. 16, 2006 on allegations of receiving more than $9,000 in public assistance funds for which she was not legally eligible.

The charges also included allegations of identity theft and perjury. She was released on a bail bond of $10,000. The case is still pending and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 14.

She was arrested on the new charges in Simi Valley without incident on Jan. 4. Bail is set at $100,000. If convicted on the new charges, Stirling faces a maximum sentence of eight years in prison.