New Bedford Woman Pleads Guilty to Stealing Over $60,000 in Social Security Benefits

BOSTON – Lynn Medeiros, 49, of New Bedford, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Boston to stealing over $60,000 in Social Security benefits by continuing to collect her disabled son’s benefits after he left her custody.  U. S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for April 13, 2016.

In April 2005, Medeiros applied for Social Security Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits on behalf of her son.  By signing the application, Medeiros acknowledged her responsibility to notify Social Security if her son left her custody or otherwise changed his living arrangements.  Her son was approved for benefits, and his monthly Social Security checks were issued to Medeiros as his representative payee. 

Beginning in August 2007, Medeiros’s son ceased to reside with her.  However, each year from 2008 to 2013, Medeiros submitted forms to Social Security falsely stating that her son was still living with her and that she was spending the Social Security money on his behalf.  In this manner, from August 2007 through August 2014, Medeiros converted $63,798 in benefits to her own use.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Scott Antolik, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today.  The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Landry of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit.