Westminster mother, daughter accused of ‘largest housing fraud case in Orange County history,’ DA says
A mother and daughter from Westminster are facing felony welfare fraud charges in what the Orange County District Attorney’s office says is the “largest housing fraud case” in county history.
Errica Madkins Mickens, 55, and Brittany Monet Mickens, 29, were arrested Thursday, Aug. 1, on suspicion of bilking more than $190,000 from county housing services.
The pair are accused of concealing their identities to gain funds from Orange County’s Housing Authority Section 8, which provides rental assistance to low-income households, and In Home Supportive Services, which provides benefits to its disabled clients such as support for family care.
“The brazen way (the IHSS) program was exploited by these two individuals to steal taxpayer dollars is beyond disturbing,” District Attorney Todd Spitzer said in a statement.
The mother and daughter allegedly used multiple birth certificates and ID cards to gain eligibility for the public programs, hiding their true identities, but investigators say Errica and Brittany Mickens have more than $600,000 in their bank accounts.
Errica Mickens is an IHSS client who received the maximum benefits – for clients who need 285 hours of assistance per month. Brittany Mickens served as the care provider for her mother, who she said she could not speak or walk, according to prosecutors.
But during surveillance in the district attorney’s probe, Errica Mickens was seen moving trash cans, carrying vehicle tires, driving a vehicle and shopping in grocery stores, without aid. Investigators also said the mother and daughter took a recent trip to Europe, which they posted on social media, and bought a new SUV.
Multiple charges were filed at the county’s Central Justice Center and the pair were arraigned Friday morning, Aug. 2, the district attorney’s office said.
Errica Mickens and Brittany Mickens each face one felony count of grand theft public housing fraud, grand theft of housing funds, medical insurance fraud of In Home Supportive Services, and grand theft of IHSS funds. They also face four enhancements of aggravated white collar crime over $100,000 and under $500,000.
If convicted on all charges, they could face up to eight years in prison.