Calais Woman Sentenced to Two Months for Stealing Social Security Benefits

Bangor, Maine:  United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Amy Lynn Holmes, 46, of Calais, Maine was sentenced yesterday in U.S District Court by Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. to two months in prison and three years of supervised release for stealing over $96,000 in Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.  SSI benefits are paid to people with limited income who are blind, disabled or elderly.  Holmes was also ordered to pay $33,821 in restitution.  She pleaded guilty on August 29, 2017.

Court records reveal that between February 2004 and May 2016, Holmes falsely represented to the Social Security Administration (SSA) that she was living alone and not receiving help or money from any person.  In fact, she was living with her husband who was providing her with financial assistance, Florida vacations and vehicles. She told investigators that she knew that she would have been ineligible for SSI if she had disclosed her husband’s income and that they were living together.

“This is a good example of the ongoing efforts by the Federal government to deter fraud against social security programs,” said U.S. Attorney Frank. "The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to prosecuting those in Maine who engage in government benefit fraud.  We hope that this prosecution and others like it will discourage people who are tempted to steal government benefits.”

The case was investigated by the SSA, Office of the Inspector General.