Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

My mother used to work for an in-home care service. She was the office manager, and did all their books. At the time I was about 25, and not doing well at all financially. I was fired from my job for violating a company policy, and so was not eligible for unemployment. The Unemployment Department told me if I got another job and made a specific amount of money, I would be eligible for unemployment benefits. My mom decided that she would cut a paycheck in my name rather than hers, while she was still working there as normal, doing her job. I received a paycheck from her. She then deposited it into her bank I assume, I honestly don�t know what she did with it after that. I then reapplied for unemployment, and received it for about a year until I got another job.

I should mention that my mom was also at the time paying most of my bills. She explained this to me as getting constant cash advances on her paychecks. Honestly, I never questioned the source of her income because all I knew was that I was having hard times and she wanted to help me. I had no idea how much she made at her work. She had a job, so there was no reason to believe that she was stealing or anything.

She got sick in January 2008, and has not worked since. She is now very sick and on dialysis.

So about six months ago I was contacted by an FBI agent and they started questioning me about what my mom used to do for the in-home service she worked for. I explained everything I could to the best of my knowledge. They then asked if I had ever worked for the company. Having been 6 years or so, I forgot about what had happened and said no. They then produced a pay stub with my name on it and I realized what they were referring to. I then explained everything about the situation and what happened. They said ok and I haven�t heard from them since.

Yesterday I was served with a subpoena to appear before a Grand Jury to testify. The FBI agent said it was as a witness, not as a target or subject of the investigation.

I�m not sure of the amount that I received, but I would say somewhere around $10,000

My concerns are:

Should I invoke the 5th when they question me about the unemployment incident, or has that ship sailed since I already divulged the info to the FBI agent at the initial interview?

Should I try to ask the U.S. Attorney for Immunity, or does that imply some sort of guilt of a crime?

Is there a Statute of Limitations for Unemployment Fraud in California? The act occurred in 2005.

Is it likely that they will file criminal charges against me?

If so, what is likely to happen? This would be my first offense, I have a clean adult record, and have a good government job that I have had since 2006.

Speaking of my job, I have a secret clearance. Is that pretty much gone if convicted of any fraud here?

I have to appear at the Grand Jury next week, December 1st. Please, any help I can get expeditiously would be GREATLY appreciated.

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