Associated Press Release

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- A Pensacola woman has been charged with stealing her sister's identity 17 years ago and wrongly receiving welfare benefits ever since.

Rose Gamlin was charged on Friday with two counts of public assistance fraud and one count of identity theft.

The 55-year-old woman reportedly assumed the identity of her sister -- who lives in Wisconsin -- to get more than $68,000 in Medicaid and food stamp benefits.

Her sister discovered the scam recently when she tried to apply for welfare. She was told someone with her name and Social Security number was already getting benefits in Florida.

The case was investigated by the state Department of Financial Services and the Escambia County Sheriff's Office.