Bradenton woman asked for $8K in hurricane relief. But there was a problem, police say 

Police arrested a Bradenton woman Friday after they determined her application for nearly $8,000 in hurricane relief money was fraudulent.

Veronica Torres, 44, is charged with filing a false public assistance claim through the City of Bradenton’s Hurricane Disaster Assistance Program, the Bradenton Police Department said in a news release.

Police say Torres used her mother’s name, driver’s license and Social Security number to apply for $7,967 through the program. Her application claimed that she was forced to move out of her home due to hurricane damage, police said.

After the application was approved, Torres came in to pick up the check on Thursday, police said.

But a city employee became suspicious when Torres’ appearance did not match the ID in the application.

Police said Torres claimed that she looked younger thanks to “Botox treatments.” But the employee was unconvinced and asked Torres to return on Friday, police said. Meanwhile, the employee contacted police.

When Torres came back on Friday, detectives questioned and arrested her, the police department said.

Torres is charged with a third-degree felony. If found guilty, the crime carries penalties of up to five years of prison or probation and up to $5,000 in fines, according to Florida statutes.