Fayette County Woman Charged with Illegally Receiving Social Security Benefits

PITTSBURGH, PA – A Fayette County resident has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of theft of government property, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The one-count indictment, returned on Feb. 19, named Mika Lint aka Mika Baluch, 40, of Perryopolis, Pennsylvania.

According to the Indictment, from September 24, 2014 through July 27, 2016, Lint received $40,517 in Old Age, Survivor’s Disability Insurance benefits from the United States Social Security Administration, to which she knew she was not entitled.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Mary McKeen Houghton is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The United States Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.