County Bureaucrat Busted for Fraud

After a five-month investigation, Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s office announced yesterday that a recently retired County Social Services employee along with one of the recipients he worked with during his tenure were taken into custody Thursday afternoon, February 28, charged with various counts of felony fraud.

Longtime social services agent Trueman Beach, who in a tell-tale move retired once the investigation began in October of 2007, is charged with felony welfare fraud, MediCal fraud, and embezzlement for his alleged role in swindling the system out of some $61,500 worth of food stamps, cash, child care, and medical services. For her part in the scam, Summer Ann Mastagni is also charged with two counts of fraud as well as perjury during the investigation. The duo has been booked into County Jail and bail has been set at $66,000.