Binghamton woman accused of stealing $25K through Social Security fraud
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) — A Binghamton woman has been handed 38 counts of social security fraud through benefits that were intended for a child.
According to the federal indictment, Loretta Washington, 59, of Binghamton, applied for and was receiving payments from social security as the representative-payee for the young girl they were intended for.
Representative-payees are a person or organization selected by the Social Security Administration to receive payments on behalf of beneficiaries who may not be able to manage the funds properly.
Washington is accused of stealing over $25,000 between October 2018 and November 2021. The charges brought against Washington carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison, up to $250,000 in fines, and a three-year post-release supervision.
Bradley Parker, the Social Security Administration-Office of Inspector General (SSA-OIG) is investigating the case and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Tuck is prosecuting the case.