Rehoboth Woman Sentenced for Social Security Fraud

BOSTON – A Rehoboth woman was sentenced today in federal court in Boston in connection with illegally collecting more than $29,000 in Social Security benefits.

Joanna Boyer, 44, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Denise J. Casper to two years of probation, with the first nine months to be served in home detention, restitution of $29,927 and a fine of $5,000. Following a three-day trial in November 2016, Boyer was convicted of one count of Social Security fraud, two counts of making false statements and one count of theft of public money.

From 2010 to 2015, Boyer collected Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, which are only available to people with limited financial means. While collecting these need-based benefits, Boyer concealed the fact that she owned a condominium in Fall River, Mass. On two occasions, when directly asked by Social Security personnel about her property ownership, she denied owning any real estate other than her house in Rehoboth. As a result, she collected more than $29,000 in benefits that she was ineligible to receive.

Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb and Scott Antolik, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Landry and Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne Paruti of Weinreb’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.