Official: Arizona DES employee arrested for food stamp fraud

PHOENIX — An Arizona Department of Economic Security employee has been arrested on food stamp fraud charges, authorities said Wednesday.

The department said Angela Engram, who works as a program service evaluator for family benefits, was caught on tape using an incarcerated person’s Electronic Benefits Transaction card to obtain Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — commonly referred to as food stamps — benefits. She also allegedly submitted renewal applications for the card.

People who are incarcerated are not eligible for SNAP. Those who benefit from the program have to meet certain income and resource requirements set forth by the United States Department of Agriculture.

“Serving Arizonans in need is a noble privilege,” DES Director Timothy Jeffries said in a release. “The financial resources we bring to bear on their behalf must be shepherded with care and protected with vigor. Fraud on any level is abhorrent.

“Having it occur in a DES office by an employee is vile and reprehensible. DES will bring down the hammer of justice on anyone who steals human service dollars from children and their families in dire need.”

Engram allegedly made incriminating statements while being questioned by the Inspector General.

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