Orono Woman Sentenced To 5 Years Probation For Social Security Fraud

Bangor, Maine:  United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Amanda Harding a/k/a “Amanda Grass,” 33, of Orono, Maine, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. to five years of probation for social security fraud.  Harding was also ordered to pay $26,616 in restitution.  Harding pleaded guilty on August 31, 2017.

According to court records, the defendant began receiving Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) payments in 2006. SSI benefits are paid by the Social Security Administration (“SSA”) to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources.  The defendant was living in Maine when she first obtained SSI benefits.  Between 2006 and 2016, the defendant was repeatedly informed that she needed to report any change of address to the SSA.  On October 8, 2011, the defendant married a Canadian citizen, moved to New Brunswick, Canada, and applied for Canadian citizenship.  She resided in Canada from October 2011 through February 2016.  The defendant did not inform SSA of her change of address and illegally obtained over $26,000 in SSI benefits. During an interview with law enforcement agents, the defendant admitted that she understood if she told SSA that she moved to Canada her SSI benefits would be significantly reduced.        

The case was investigated by SSA’s Office of Inspector General, U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, and the Canadian Border Patrol.