Former state employee indicted for using family-use voucher for personal use

PIERRE, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announced on Thursday that a former South Dakota Department of Social Services employee has been charged with using a DSS grocery voucher for personal use.

28-year-old Amalia Escalante Barrientos of Brookings is facing one misdemeanor count of Obtaining Money, Property or Assistance by Fraud from Social Services or Related Programs.

An investigation by South Dakota DCI found that Barrientos had used the voucher to purchase groceries for her own personal use.

The vouchers are intended for families in need and are provided by DSS to those families.

“It is alleged this defendant abused her position by using resources intended to help others for her own personal gain,” said Attorney General Jackley. “The Attorney General’s Office intends to continue to prosecute these cases to regain the public’s trust in state government. I appreciate the Department of Social Services’ cooperation throughout this investigation.”

The maximum penalty is one year in the county jail and/or a $2,000 fine.

The Attorney General’s Office will prosecute this case.

Barrientos has not yet made her initial court appearance and is presumed innocent under the US Constitution.

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