SISKIYOU D.A. OBTAINS WELFARE FRAUD PLEA FROM EMPLOYEE OF SISKIYOU HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

On November 12th, 2025, Alexandra “Alix” Claire Byrd, plead NO CONTEST to the FELONY charge of 10980(f) W&I (embezzlement of SNAP funds by a public employee) in Siskiyou County Superior Court Case 24CF05377. Byrd was originally charged with four felony charges of welfare fraud including 10980(e) W&I (Forgery), §10980 (c)(1) W&I (Welfare fraud with the intent to deceive by false statement or representation), 10980 W&I (Embezzlement of SNAP funds) and §118 PC (Perjury). S.N.A.P. is short for the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program—formerly Food Stamps.

Byrd fraudulently obtained government benefits from S.N.A.P., which is referred to as CalFresh in the State of California. The County of Siskiyou, through the Health and Human Services Agency, the State of California, and the federal government, provide SNAP benefits to qualified recipients in the form of electronic benefits transfer cards (commonly referred to as “EBT” cards), which can be used to purchase eligible food items. Through her actions, A. Byrd fraudulently secured and accessed a total of $2,822 in SNAP/CalFresh benefits.

This welfare fraud case was brought to the attention of the Health and Human Services Agency by the Office of the District Attorney. The Statewide Automated Welfare System (CalSAWs) records revealed from April 2021 to October 2022, Byrd intentionally and fraudulently accessed a benefits case to which she was not authorized. The investigation uncovered that this case belonged to Byrd’s romantic partner. Byrd accessed the case, while in performance of her work duties, a total of eighty-one times. This is a violation of Calif. Dept of Social Services (CDSS) Rules & Regulations. During this time, Byrd also listed herself as an Authorized Representative in the case without going through proper procedure or approval. This action was also a violation of CDSS Rules and Regulations.

In Feb 2022, in order for the recipient to continue receiving CalFresh benefits, Byrd fraudulently submitted a Recertification Form. This document was determined to be in handwriting other than the recipient’s. In Sept. 2022, Byrd, again fraudulently submitted a Semi-Annual Recertification Form in an effort for the recipient to continue CalFresh benefits. This document was also determined to be in the wrong person’s handwriting.

An audit was conducted by ebtEDGE, which is a mobile application and web-based platform for benefit recipients to manage their food and cash-aid benefits. The access logs showed, from the initial case application of April 2021 to case closure in Nov. 2022, ebtEDGE was accessed fifty-three instances by the cellular phone number belonging to Byrd, as well as her HHSA work oƯice phone. Byrd was also captured on camera and video recordings, in various grocery stores, utilizing the benefits from the recipients’ EBT card. Several of the purchases occurred while the authorized recipient was incarcerated in the Siskiyou County Jail.

At the time of her plea, Byrd was given a Deferred Entry of Judgment, meaning that sentencing can be postponed for as long as two years. During that time, she is required to obey all laws, report changes to her address, and was conditioned upon full payment of the fraudulently-obtained benefits. If she is successful for these two years, her plea will be recorded as a misdemeanor conviction.

Byrd is no longer employed with the Siskiyou Health & Human Services Agency. When the investigation began, she held the position of Program Manager and had worked for the County for a total of fifteen years.

The HHSA is committed to ensuring the integrity of public benefits, ensuring they remain in the hands of recipients and are used for their intended purpose of providing food to needy community members.

District Attorney Kirk Andrus expressed appreciation to HHSA for their diligence in uncovering the disturbing fraud committed by an employee, and for acting swiftly and decisively. He also commended HHSA for their outstanding investigative partnership with the District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigation, which partnership utilizes District Attorney Investigators to police HHSA benefit recipients.

“Both of our agencies are committed to jealously safeguard the public trust embodied in tax dollars allocated to our agency operations. The public is entitled to nothing less.”