Nadya Suleman, 'Octomom,' Charged with Welfare Fraud and Faces 5 Years in Jail
Prosecutors revealed Monday that Nadya Suleman, widely known as Octomom, has been charged with welfare fraud and face several years in jail if convicted.
Los Angeles District Attorney Jackie Lacey stated that Suleman, 38, was charged Jan. 6 with not reporting roughly $30,000 in earnings when applying for public assistance.
The district attorney's office revealed that Suleman was not taken into custody and is scheduled to appear for her arraignment on Friday. She faces two counts of perjury by false application for aid and one count of aid by misrepresentation.
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If convicted, she faces a sentence of up to five years and eight months.
The Los Angeles County Dept. of Welfare Fraud Prevention and Investigation (WFP&I) has been investigating Suleman when reports surfaced that she earned $200,000 in 2012 after participating in an adult film. Suleman, who has a total of 14 children, filed for public assistance in Lancaster, Calif., in January 2013, prosecutors said.
Because of the size of her family Suleman and her 14 kids can receive welfare in California if she earns less than $119,000 per year.
The mother of 14, who filed for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy last year, had previously stated that deciding to go on welfare was a difficult decision.
"I have had to make some very difficult decisions the year, and filing Chapter 7 was one of them," Suleman previsly revealed in a statement. "But I have to do what is best for my children and I need a fresh start."
Suleman had also been previously investigated for child neglect and received a visit from local police and the Orange County Department of Children and Family Services at her La Habra, Calif. home after her hairstylist alleged that her living environment was unsuitable for her 14 children, according to TMZ.
Despite being criticized for her willingness to be engaged in pornography for money, Suleman says that her children are a priority and providing for them is all that she is concerned about.
"If it's a job, and it's a well-paying job, and it's going to allow me to get us out of here and into a very safe huge home that they deserve, then I'm going to do it!" Suleman previously told HLN "Showbiz Tonight" correspondent Nischelle Turner.
