"Octomom" pleads not guilty to welfare fraud

LOS ANGELES - "Octomom" Nadya Suleman has pleaded not guilty to a fourth count of welfare fraud.

The single mother of octuplets and six other children appeared briefly for arraignment Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court.

The latest count alleges Suleman, 38, wrongly collected an additional $10,000 in benefits from the state.

She previously pleaded not guilty to three counts of welfare fraud stemming from an alleged failure to disclose about $30,000 in earnings from videos and personal appearances when she applied for aid last year.

Although the charges carry potential time behind bars, the prosecutor has said efforts would be made to reach a deal to avoid that.

Suleman, whose real name is Natalie Denise Suleman, became famous in 2009 by giving birth to eight children who quickly became the world's longest-surviving octuplets. They celebrated their fifth birthday in January.

The court has scheduled the next hearing in the case for April 16.