A former Department of Children and Families caseworker's greed has landed her in jail, authorities said.
Meera Khan, 51, was arrested Wednesday and faces racketeering and fraud charges for allegedly stealing more than $1.3 million from the welfare system through food stamp cards, the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office said.
Khan was a Miami caseworker for nine years, but she did more than help those in need feed their families, prosecutors said. She also helped herself to their benefits, authorities said.
DCF statement said Khan resigned in 2009 and that the agency is cooperating with authorities on the investigation.has not commented on the arrest.
"Anytime someone steals money through public assistance fraud, they are stealing directly from every taxpayer and from Floridians who need a temporary helping hand," the statement read.
Khan allegedly stole the identities of several of her clients and set up accounts in their names so they could receive benefits. But the food stamps and other financial assistance never got to the people, prosecutors allege.
Khan would also work with "unscrupulous businesses" that would help her convert the food stamp cards into cold, hard cash, authorities said.
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"When any public employee, particularly someone working with the needy, uses their position to enrich themselves, the people of Florida have a right to be frustrated and enraged," Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said in a statement about the arrest.
Khan is currently being processed at Miami-Dade County jail. It is unclear if she has an attorney.
