A Republican candidate running to represent Stockton, Tracy and Mountain House in the California State Assembly pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of welfare fraud in 2020, court records show.
Denise Aguilar Mendez is the founder of the anti-vaccine activist group Freedom Angels and a survivalist group known as Mamalitia — a self-described “militia” that shows moms how to become preppers and use guns. She is challenging Democrat Rhodesia Ransom for the District 13 seat vacated by Democratic Rep. Carlos Villapudua.
Court documents show Aguilar was charged with three felonies in June 2019 — aid by misrepresentation, grand theft of personal property and perjury. She initially pleaded not guilty on all counts in December 2019. However, Aguilar pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor welfare fraud charge in September 2020 as part of a plea deal with the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office…