Ceci Velasquez Explained

Ceci Velasquez
State House:Arizona
District:29th
Term Start:January 9, 2015
Term End:January 9, 2017
Predecessor:Lydia Hernandez
Successor:Cesar Chavez
Party:Democratic
Alongside:Richard C. Andrade
Birth Place:Phoenix, Arizona, U.S
Education:Phoenix College (AS)
Arizona State University (BA)
Residence:Litchfield Park, Arizona

Ceci Velasquez is an American politician and paralegal who served as a Democratic member of the Arizona House of Representatives from 2015 to 2017. She was convicted of fraud in 2016.

Early life and education

Velasquez born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona and is a second-generation Mexican-American. Velasquez earned an Associate of Science from Phoenix College and a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice from Arizona State University. She worked in social services for 12 years and founded the Arizona Guidance Organization, a nonprofit that provides support to families in the justice system.[1]

Arizona House of Representatives

Tenure

Velasquez was elected to the Arizona House of Representatives in 2014 alongside Cesar Chavez. She served on the Federalism and States' Rights and Rules committees.

Legal troubles and indictment

Upon election, it was discovered there was an outstanding warrant for her arrest due to failing to pay court fees from traffic violations in 2010.[2]

Velasquez was indicted by an Arizona grand jury on May 23, 2016 with three felony counts: fraudulent schemes and practices; unlawful use of food stamps; and theft.[3] Velasquez pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful use of food stamps, a Class 1 misdemeanor. She paid restitution for the amount and was sentenced to 12 months of supervised probation and 100 hours of community service.[4] [5]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ceci Velasquez. https://web.archive.org/web/20170331141010/http://www.azleg.gov/MembersPage.asp?Member_ID=74&legislature=52&Session_ID=115. Arizona State Legislature. March 31, 2017. April 25, 2016.
  2. Web site: Arrest warrant out for legislator-elect. The Arizona Republic. Feb 12, 2021.
  3. Web site: Arizona lawmaker Ceci Velasquez pleads not guilty to allegations of food-stamp fraud. Graig. Graziosi. The Arizona Republic. Feb 12, 2021.
  4. Web site: Arizona lawmaker Ceci Velasquez pleads guilty in food-stamp case. Madison. Alder. The Arizona Republic. Feb 12, 2021.
  5. News: azcentral.com . December 1, 2016 . Arizona lawmaker Ceci Velasquez receives probation in food-stamp fraud . Mary Jo Pitzl, The Republic .