Former Roanoke Social Services employee charged with stealing taxpayer money

  A Roanoke woman paid to help people in need has been charged with stealing taxpayer money.

  Eileen Maldonado faces five counts of felony embezzlement.

  Maldonado worked as a benefits program specialist in Roanoke city’s department of social services for eight years.

  She is accused of stealing tens of thousands of dollars, maybe even more, in taxpayer money.

  Court documents accuse her of embezzling money between July of 2007 to the end of August 2009.

  A benefits program specialist is often one of the first people seen when someone comes into the office looking for help with heating bills, electricity costs, or food stamps.

  Maldonado is accused of making up the names of potential clients.

  Once those phony clients had been approved, Maldonado is accused of arranging for government checks in those “clients” names to be sent to her former auto service business and her home.

  Her trial date will be scheduled in December.

  The city terminated Maldonado’s employment in August.