Oakland Woman Pleads Guilty To Stealing SSI Benefits

Contact: Jim Moore
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373

Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Laura
Mathieu, 50, of Oakland, Maine, pled guilty to stealing more than $1,000 in Supplemental
Security Income (“SSI”) benefits from the Social Security Administration (“SSA”). SSI benefits
are paid to, among others, people who are disabled and have low income and few resources.

According to court records, Mathieu submitted a false statement to SSA that was used for
determining her eligibility for SSI benefits. Mathieu falsely stated her household was limited to
herself and her children and she denied receiving any other help or financial assistance. In fact,
she was living with her husband who was providing financial assistance. Mathieu knew that she
had to truthfully disclose her living arrangements and the income earned by any member of her
household. She confessed to investigators that she concealed that information because she
believed that the information would disqualify her from receiving SSI benefits.

Mathieu faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or both. She will be
sentenced after completion of a pre-sentence report by the United States Probation Office.

The investigation was conducted by the Office of Inspector General of the Social
Security Administration.