Criminal charges have been filed against a Sacramento County man accused of applying for and receiving more than $146,000 in public assistance benefits using false identifications with the names and Social Security numbers of 22 alleged victims, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday.
Sam Shahbazi, 38, of Citrus Heights, pleaded not guilty Monday to 22 felony counts each of grand theft from Los Angeles County and unauthorized use of personal identifying information, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
The charges include a sentencing enhancement that alleges the offenses were part of a pattern of related felony fraud involving the taking and loss of more than $100,000.
Shahbazi allegedly applied for and received approximately $146,474 in public assistance benefits from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services using false identifications with the names and Social Security numbers of the 22 alleged victims between March 2021 and October 2023.
He allegedly used fraudulent Electronic Benefit Transfer cards to make cash withdrawals from multiple bank locations throughout California, and to make purchases from Costco and Whole Foods, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
“Stealing public benefits is a cowardly crime against those most vulnerable,” District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a statement announcing the charges. “Prosecutors in our Public Assistance Fraud Division work every day to fight for victims and root out fraud. Know this: If you steal public benefits in Los Angeles County, your transactions will be traced, you will be investigated and you will face criminal consequences.”
Shahbazi was arrested Friday and has remained behind bars since then, jail records show.
He is due back in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom Nov. 7 for a hearing to determine whether there is enough evidence to allow the case against him to go to trial.
If convicted as charged, he could face up to 32 years and eight months in state prison, according to prosecutors.