A 50-year-old New London woman and former employee of the Connecticut Department of Social Services was recently arrested and charged with making over $8,200 worth of unauthorized benefit payments to a family member.

The arrest, which took place last Wednesday, was followed by charges of larceny by defrauding a public community. That charge carries a maximum 20 year prison sentence.

According to inspectors from the chief state's attorney's office, the illegal payments went to the woman's brother and his roommate, but she later took back some of the money for herself. The payments occurred between July and November 2010. The specific types of payments involved were "retroactive State Administered General Assistance (SAGA) benefits." The woman's brother and his roommate were apparently SAGA clients.

In the arrest warrant, authorities indicated that prosecutors found out about the payments from the Social Services department. An audit conducted by the department had flagged the payments as potentially fraudulent.

Sources said the New London woman has been released from police custody, and that she will be appearing in New Haven Superior Court on September, 29.

Larceny, which means any types of theft crime in Connecticut, is a common offense. It is distinguished from robbery in that larceny does not involve force or the threat of force. Connecticut recognizes six degrees of larceny, which are based on the value of the item(s) stolen. Sixth degree larceny is the theft any property valued at or below $250. First degree larceny includes thefts at or above $10,000.

Source: chron.com, "Former Conn. state worker charged with larceny," Sep 21, 2011.