A Sacramento County man has been charged with a slew of felonies after authorities say he pilfered identities and pocketed nearly $150,000 in fraudulent public benefits from Los Angeles County. According to a release from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Sam Shahbazi, 38, faces 22 counts each of identity theft and grand theft, with further allegations of conducting a pattern of related felony fraud involving a loss exceeding $100,000.
Prosecutors accuse Shahbazi of using stolen names and social security numbers to apply for and receive public assistance benefits between March 2021 and October 2023. He reportedly used fraudulent Electronic Benefit Transfer cards at various banks across California, including Bank of America and Wells Fargo, and retailers like Costco and Whole Foods. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman voiced his stance on the case, stating, “Stealing public benefits is a cowardly crime against those most vulnerable,” a sentiment shared in both the District Attorney’s release and echoed by KTLA’s coverage of the incident.
Shahbazi, who hails from Citrus Heights, was arraigned on Oct. 27 and entered a plea of not guilty. The court has set bail at $2.275 million, although jail records indicate he may be held without bail. The next step in this legal drama is scheduled for a preliminary hearing and bail review on Nov. 7 at the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.
If found guilty of all charges, Shahbazi could face a maximum sentence of 32 years and eight months in prison. Meanwhile, the alleged financial abuse remains under investigation by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services, Welfare Fraud Prevention & Investigation Section. In the fight against public assistance fraud, District Attorney Hochman emphasized the resolve of law enforcement, “Know this: If you steal public benefits in Los Angeles County, your transactions will be traced, you will be investigated and you will face criminal consequences,” a promise to the community gravely affected by such acts of fraud.
