Two for Atlantic County workers pleaded guilty in the theft of about 30 welfare cards that were issued fraudulently.
Barbara Landron, 46, of Atlantic City, and Christine Gonzalez, 47, of Ventnor, worked in the EBT office. But they used their positions to create cards that were illegally used by friends and family to buy food and get cash, according to charges filed against them in June.
The two women waived their right to a grand jury, pleading to an accusation rather than waiting to be indicted.
Landron faces no jail time in the case, although Judge John Rauh told her the charge does carry as long as five years in prison, and that he could choose to sentence her to time. She also faces prison if she would violate her probation.
Landron's 18-year-old daughter, Shalaya Landron, was charged with using the cards. She is applying for pretrial intervention to avoid prosecution, attorney Brenden Shur told the judge.
Gonzalez faces as long as 180 days in the Atlantic County Justice Facility as part of her plea. That would be the most the prosecutor would ask for.
She faces the same five-year maximum as Barbara Landron.
The fired county workers also must pay restitution, which was not specified. It will be between $2,500 and $10,000, according to one estimate. They also have to pay fines and forfeit public employment.
