Orleans Woman Charged with Stealing Deceased Spouse’s Social Security Benefits

BOSTON – An Orleans woman was arrested today for stealing her deceased husband’s Social Security benefits.   

Susan Condon, 64, was charged with one count of theft of public funds and one count of making false statements. 

According to the indictment, Condon served as the representative payee for her husband in his receipt of Social Security benefits.  Her husband passed away in April 2004, but she continued to receive his Social Security benefits each month.  In January 2015, Condon falsely reported to the Social Security Administration (SSA) that she used all of the funds she received as her husband’s representative payee for her husband’s benefit.  She did not inform the SSA that her husband had died more than 10 years earlier.  From the time of her husband’s death in April 2004 through February 2017, Condon received approximately $198,511 in Social Security benefits.

The charge of theft of public funds provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater.  The charge of making false statements provides for a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb and Adam Schneider, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Burzycki of Weinreb’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging document are allegations.  The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.