Pittsburgh Woman Admits Defrauding Social Security

PITTSBURGH - A Pittsburgh resident has pled guilty to the charge of theft of government money, stemming from her receipt and use of social security benefits to which she knew she was not entitled, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

The one-count indictment, to which she pled guilty before United States District Court Judge David Cercone on August 9, 2017, named Rosemary Thomas, 64, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment and the evidence summarized during the plea proceeding, from January 2001 to February 2014, Thomas converted to her own use $98,949 in Social Security Title II, Old Age, Survivor’s Disability Insurance benefits of another individual to whom she was not related, to which benefits she knew she was not entitled.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 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.

The Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, conducted the investigation leading to the indictment and guilty plea in this case.