Jury Convicts Binghamton Woman of Stealing Social Security Benefits

BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK - A jury today voted to convict Patricia L. Williams, age 62, of Binghamton, of theft of government property and fraud, for stealing Social Security benefits deposited into her deceased husband’s bank account, and for concealing her receipt of those benefits while applying for and receiving other government benefits. 

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and John F. Grasso, Special Agent In Charge of the Social Security Administration (SSA) Office of the Inspector General.

The jury reached a verdict after a four-day trial.  The evidence demonstrated that the defendant’s husband passed away in 1990, but SSA was never notified of his death.  SSA, believing the defendant’s husband was alive, continued to pay monthly benefits until 2013, which Williams withdrew and spent, knowing she was not entitled to the money.  From 2008 to 2015, the defendant applied for and received Supplemental Security Income (SSI), concealing that she was taking her deceased husband’s benefits.  SSI is a needs-based program, available to elderly, blind, and disabled individuals, that provides money to pay for living expenses.  The total loss to the government was at least $63,500.

Williams faces up to 10 years in prison and up to 3 years of post-imprisonment supervised release when she is sentenced by Senior United States District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy on February 20, 2019.  She may also be ordered to pay restitution to the SSA.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

This case was investigated by the SSA Office of the Inspector General and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason W. White.