Altoona Woman Charged with Social Security Fraud

DES MOINES, Iowa – On August 28, 2018, a federal grand jury charged Leesa Marie Parkhill-Nieland, age 47, of Altoona, with Social Security fraud, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Parkhill-Nieland is charged with theft of government funds, Social Security fraud, and making a false statement to the Social Security Administration. Parkhill-Nieland is alleged to have received Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits from about December 2012 until about April 2018. According to the Indictment, during this time, Parkhill-Nieland was self-employed through two different businesses, Pine Hollow Stables and Coat of Many Colors. Parkhill-Nieland is alleged to have concealed and failed to disclose that employment from the Social Security Administration in order to continue to receive payments.

The defendant appeared in United States District Court in Des Moines on September 14, 2018. The public is reminded that an Indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless she is proven guilty.

This matter is being investigated by the Social Security Administration—Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.