Welfare Fraud

My question involves criminal law for the state of: welfare fraud, I applied for food stamps in June when I was pregnant, when I spoke with a lady in the interview before I even receive benefits, and told her I lived with my boyfriend and asked if it was okay, that's fine. She claims that she informed me that his income would count after the baby was born, but I don't remember that. Even the i don't remember her saying that, they say its my word against hers. I told them my baby was due Nov 9th. I kept receiving benefits for a year. It is on record that they knew the exact date my baby was born Nov 11th. and they upped my benefits higher. Apparently I was supposed to inform them of the boyfriend again... And then add his income. But after having a baby the last thing I was thinking was about food stamps. I had alot going on in my life including my boyfriends divorce from his ex, which she was harassing the whole time. My mind was focused all in on that. And we were barely making my it by, he has alot of bills, but his income exceeds the qualifications. When they called for an interview they asked if I was living with my boyfriend, I said yes, they asked for a written statement of him living with me and his income from back from November. I did. Now, im being charged with "false statements" which I never lied!!! It was an honest mistake not to have known to report his income on my own. If they would have asked it would have ended there, but it went on for a year, now I owe 2,563.00. I have money from a personal loan and I offered a check at our meeting at the office. They say i have to a preliminary hearing, and face a magistrate. I didn't do this on purpose and I never lied to them!!!!

Welfare Fraud