Trenton woman pleads guilty to fraud

TRENTON >> A former senior payroll clerk for the New Jersey Department of Human Services pleaded guilty Monday to using her work computer to generate false insurance cards for herself and others.

Laquanda Tate, 39, of Trenton, pleaded guilty to simulating a motor vehicle insurance identification card and theft by deception. She also admitted that she stole public assistance benefits by creating false documents to claim childcare expenses.

Prosecutors say that between April 2009 and December 2012, Tate used her DHS computer to generate false insurance identification cards for her personal use and for sale to three other people. In a separate scheme, prosecutors say, Tate created false notarized letters which she used to claim $8,677 in unreimbursed childcare expenses. By including those expenses in applications to the Mercer County Board of Social Services for food stamps, Tate allegedly received $3,635 in benefits to which she was not entitled. Prosecutors say Tate also claimed such false expenses in applications to the State Department of Community Affairs for Section 8 rental assistance, thereby receiving more than $1,000 in added housing benefits to which she was not entitled.

Under the plea agreement, the state will recommend Tate be sentenced to 364 days in county jail and 30 hours of community service. She must pay full restitution of the public assistance benefits she received and will be permanently barred from public employment. Tate is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 18.

Tate