Social Security Administration Employee Indicted for Theft of Funds

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that MICHAELLE MARTINEZ, age 38, of Marrero, was indicted today for Theft of Government Funds.

According to the Superseding Indictment, MARTINEZ identified beneficiaries who were entitled to receive retroactive or back payments from the Social Security Administration (“SSA”).  MARTINEZ would change the recipient’s deposit information and would divert the SSA money bank accounts controlled by the defendant.  MARTINEZ then changed the deposit information back before the beneficiaries would notice a problem.

U.S. Attorney Polite reiterated that the Superseding Indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

If convicted, MARTINEZ faces a maximum penalty of ten years imprisonment, followed by up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General in investigating this matter.  Fraud Unit Chief, Assistant U. S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba is in charge of the prosecution.