Rockland Woman Pleads Guilty to Stealing Social Security Benefits

BOSTON – A Rockland woman pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to stealing Social Security benefits.   

Catherine M. Anzalone, 55, pleaded guilty to one count of theft of public funds. U.S. Senior District Court Judge George A. O’Toole Jr. scheduled sentencing for Jan. 10, 2019.  Anzalone was arrested and charged in February 2018.

Anzalone’s mother passed away in March 2000. At the time of her death, Anzalone’s mother was receiving monthly retirement benefits from Social Security. Social Security, however, was never advised of Anzalone’s mother’s death and continued to deposit her benefit payments into a bank account she held jointly with Anzalone. From April 2000 through April 2017, Anzalone stole approximately $155,736 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. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Scott Antolik, 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 Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.