Ill. state worker jailed in fraud case

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CHICAGO, June 12 (UPI) -- An Illinois government employee was sent to jail for 30 days for lying about the existence of triplets to garner extra food benefits for a boyfriend.

Ebony Martin, a caseworker in the state Department of Human Services' office in the Chicago suburb of Villa Park who pleaded guilty to felony theft of government services, also was ordered to pay a $21,000 fine at her sentencing Monday, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.

She was charged this year with theft, official misconduct and state benefit fraud for creating a false file for her boyfriend, Keith Jones, which made it appear as though he had triplets so he would be awarded more state benefits for a year.

Jones has been charged with felony theft and state benefit fraud. He is still at large.

Martin was placed on paid administrative leave when she was arrested, and the Sun-Times reported she is expected to be fired.