St. Cloud Woman Sentenced For Stealing Social Security And Veterans Benefits

Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Carlos E. Mendoza today sentenced Lisa Browne (47, St. Cloud) to five months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for theft of government property. As part of her sentence, the court also ordered Browne to pay restitution in the amount of $68,319 to the Social Security Administration (SSA) and $66,693.48 to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA).

Browne had pleaded guilty on March 21, 2019.

According to court documents, Browne’s grandfather, C.Z., was receiving Social Security Retirement Insurance Benefits and VA disability benefits. C.Z. passed away on or about February 2, 2014, and C.Z.’s death was never reported to either the SSA or the VA. Consequently, the SSA and VA continued to make benefit payments to C.Z. Browne accessed the funds and used them for personal expenses from in or around February 2014 through in or around March 2018. In total, Browne knowingly and willfully stole or converted approximately $68,319 in SSA benefits and $66,693.48 in VA benefits to which she was not entitled.

This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Office of the Inspector General. It was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Huyler.