Hollister
– A Hollister notary public was charged Tuesday with seven
felony counts in connection with what authorities say was a
fraudulent unemployment claims scheme that netted him about
$110,000 over a six-year period.
Hollister – A Hollister notary public was charged Tuesday with seven felony counts in connection with what authorities say was a fraudulent unemployment claims scheme that netted him about $110,000 over a six-year period.
Alfredo Silva, a 45-year-old self-employed notary public and former tax preparer, appeared briefly in court Tuesday afternoon to hear formal charges ranging from fraud and forgery to violations of California’s Unemployment Insurance Code.
Deputy District Attorney Stephen Wagner said the charges stem from fraudulent unemployment insurance claims from the California Employment Development Department.
“He used his position of trust as a tax preparer and fraudulently gained payments from the Employment Development Department,” Wagner said.
The crimes occurred between Jan. 1, 2000, and Aug. 31, 2006, according to San Benito County Court documents.
District Attorney Candice Hooper said Silva was using other people’s identities to collect unemployment payments.
Silva appeared on Tuesday before San Benito County Judge Steven Sanders, who read the charges against the defendant but continued the arraignment to Thursday after Silva said he had worked on the judge’s campaign.
“I’ve been of service to the community,” Silva, who was seeking a reduction in his $140,000 bail, told Sanders. “In fact, I was engaged in a campaign for the election of your honor.”
Wagner asked the judge to increase Silva’s bail, arguing that the severity of the charges warranted a higher amount.
Sanders declined both requests and said he needed time to find out if Silva had indeed contributed time or money to his election campaign. Such evidence could be grounds for dismissing himself from the case, the judge said.
Sanders also appointed Greg LaForge to represent Silva, who said he did not have enough money to pay for an attorney.
LaForge said Silva has no criminal background and has been a fixture in San Benito County for 19 years.
Silva was taken into custody Monday afternoon.
The U.S. Department of Labor Office of the Inspector, the California EDD and the San Benito County District Attorney’s Office were all involved in the investigation of Silva, Hooper said.
Silva has been charged with forgery, grand theft of more than $50,000, receiving stolen property of more than $100,000, filing a false or forged document, conspiracy, false unemployment insurance claims and tax evasion.
Silva is being held at the San Benito County Jail.
Michael Van Cassell covers public safety for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 335 or mvancassell@
freelancenews.com.
