Yankton Woman Sentenced for Theft of Government Funds

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Yankton, South Dakota, woman convicted of Theft of Government Funds was sentenced on October 21, 2019, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.

Whitney Lynn Clark, age 37, was sentenced to 2 years of probation, $78,775.33 in restitution, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Clark was indicted by a federal grand jury on December 4, 2018.  She pled guilty on July 25, 2019.

The conviction stemmed from false claims Clark made on applications for Social Security benefits on behalf of her children between August 2014 and November 2017.  On the applications, Clark failed to disclose her husband's income.  This omission led to an overpayment of $78,775.33 in Social Security, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, and Medicaid payments.

This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper prosecuted the case.