Three indicted in alleged fraud involving state checks

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
December 12, 2006

ALBUQUERQUE (AP) - Three women, one a former employee of the state Health Department, have been indicted on embezzlement and bank fraud charges in the alleged theft of state checks.

The indictment, filed in U.S. District Court on Nov. 30, also charges Brenda R. Saenz, also known as Brenda R. Ramos; Rebecca V. Benavidez and Consuelo C. Quinones with conspiracy and money laundering.

The alleged offenses occurred between Dec. 3, 2001 and Jan. 17, 2002, when Benavidez worked for the Health Department, the indictment says.

It accuses her of taking a $34,700 check, adding Saenz's name to it and handing it over to Quinones, who then gave it to Saenz. Saenz deposited it in her account at a Santa Fe bank and paid $19,000 of it to Quinones as a cashier's check, according to the indictment.

Quinones cashed the check on Jan. 14, 2002, the indictment said.

The indictment accuses Benavidez of taking a $27,300 state check and again adding Saenz's name to it. Saenz endorsed it and presented it at the bank to deposit in her account, the indictment said.

However, bank employees became suspicious, gave the woman a fake receipt and contacted the Health Department.

At least some money that was diverted was meant to pay for child safety seats for low-income mothers, state officials said.

Authorities have said all but $94 of the $34,700 check was spent.

None of the women could be reached for comment. The indictment does not contain addresses for them.

The Health Department fired Benavidez from her job as a financial analyst after the indictment became known.
The indictment asks that the court to order that proceeds obtained directly from the alleged crimes be forfeited to the government if the women are convicted of bank fraud, money laundering or conspiracy. The document specifically refers to two pickup trucks.

State police originally investigated the case, then turned it over to the FBI at the bureau's request.

The case was forwarded to the U.S. attorney's office in November 2005.

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