BOSTON - A federal jury convicted a Dorchester woman for stealing benefits from the government.
Vyessa Douglas, 49, was convicted of stealing social security benefits from the U.S. Social Security Administration. She faces a maximum term of 10 years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, restitution, and a $250,000 fine.
The evidence at trial showed that Douglas stole over $82,000 from the U.S. Social Security Administration. Between October 2003 - April 2010, Douglas, whose mother passed away in September 2003, collected and cashed Social Security benefit checks issued and payable to her mother. Douglas knew her mother’s benefits did not belong to her, and fraudulently signed each check with her mother’s signature.
United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Scott Antolik, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General in Boston, made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maxim Grinberg of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit.
