Via Daily Caller:

An Arizona Democratic lawmaker pleaded not guilty in court Tuesday for allegedly falsifying her application when applying for food stamps. State Rep. Cecilia Velasquez was charged May 23 with fraud, theft and unlawful use of food stamp benefits.

The Arizona Department of Economic Security stated that she allegedly lied on her application when applying for food stamps. The Maricopa County Superior Court announced that she pleaded not guilty during her first court hearing.

State Rep. Cecilia Velasquez was charged May 23 with fraud, theft and unlawful use of food stamp benefits. The Arizona Department of Economic Security stated that she allegedly lied on her application when applying for food stamps. The Maricopa County Superior Court announced that she pleaded not guilty during her first court hearing.

“Cecilia Velasquez pled not guilty,” the court announced on its Twitter account. “Her next court date is 8/17 before Commissioner Richard Nothwehr.”

Velasquez allegedly claimed two fake dependents, provided a false address and allowed two other people to use her food stamp benefit card. The DES inspector general alongside the Arizona State Grand Jury led the investigation and eventual indictment. The inspector general launched the investigationin November 2014 when it got a tip on its fraud reporting hotline.