LOS ANGELES (Aug. 24) - The woman whose son accused Michael Jackson of child molestation was charged with welfare fraud in a complaint alleging she collected nearly $19,000 while making false claims she was indigent.
The five charges filed Tuesday against the woman include four felony counts of "perjury by false application for aid" and one count of "aid by misrepresentation," a violation of the state welfare code.
Each perjury charge carries a potential sentence of two to four years in prison. The code violation carries a potential sentence of 16 months to three years.
The district attorney's office recommended bail of $50,000 for the woman, who is scheduled to surrender to authorities and be arraigned Sept. 7.
