Valley Woman Sentenced For Social Security Fraud

United States District Court Judge Joseph F. Bataillon sentenced Kimberly A. Butinski, age 35 of Valley, Nebraska, following her conviction for making false statements to the Social Security Administration.  Butinski was sentenced to one year and one day of imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release.  She was further ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $39, 975.68.

Butinski applied for SSA SSI disability benefits on her children’s behalf and, further, applied to be their representative payee.  SSI benefits are based on total household income.  Butinski falsely reported that she had separated from her husband and that he was not living in the household so that she could receive increased payment amounts.  As a result of those false statements, Butinski was paid $32,593.68 that she was not entitled to receive.

On July 22, 2011, in order to secure SNAP benefits, (food stamps), and energy assistance, Butinski telephonically applied for Nebraska HHS benefits.  Butinski again falsely represented her husband was not living in the household.  As a result, Butinski received an additional $7,382 that she was not entitled to receive. 

This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General.