FranklinWoman Sentenced To Probation For Social Security Fraud

            CONCORD, N.H. – United States Attorney Emily Gray Rice announced that Tonya Dailey, 44, of Franklin, New Hampshire, was sentenced to one year of probation.  Dailey pleaded guilty to one count of Social Security Fraud on June 24, 2016.

            According to the indictment, statements made in court, and other public records in the case, Dailey began receiving Social Security disability benefits in 1999.  Dailey returned to self-employment in June 2010, earning sufficient income each month to render her ineligible to receive any disability benefits.  Although she reported her receipt of nominal earnings as a bartender during a review with the Social Security Administration (SSA) in 2014, Dailey did not report her significant monthly income from self-employment to SSA.  Upon questioning by investigators in May 2015, Dailey admitted that she concealed her work activity from SSA because she knew her earnings would have disqualified her from receiving Supplemental Security Income disability benefits.  Applicants for Supplemental Security Income benefits must have limited income and resources in order to qualify for assistance.  As a result of her concealment, Dailey received $30,230.78 in disability benefits that she would not have received if she had properly disclosed her self-employment income.

            Dailey was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Steven J. McAuliffe.     

            The case was investigated by the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General and prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Karen Burzycki.

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