The Kern County District Attorney’s Office has been charged with multiple felonies related to the theft of several hundred thousand dollars in funds from the California Employment Development Department.
Ruben Barajas Rodriguez, 54, was arrested Thursday, according to prosecutors, in an investigation that began in November 2020.
Rodriguez is in custody on $1 million bail, the district attorney’s office said in a press release, noting that more felony charges may be added as the investigation progresses.
“I welcome the continued efforts of law enforcement to expose EDD fraud that has increased significantly during the pandemic,” said District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer in a press release. “The District Attorney’s Office of Investigation is committed to protecting the taxpayer by combating all forms of fraud.”
Anyone with information about EDD fraud is asked to call the DA’s office at 661-868-2350.
