A Kansas woman was sentenced to 15 months in prison on June 3 for fraudulently receiving approximately $450,000 by collecting federal and state government benefits under her own name and a stolen identity.
According to court documents, Tamera Ruth Powers, 68, of Tonganoxie pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. Powers stole the identity of her relative Minda Sue Rakestraw, who died in 1977. She used Rakestraw’s identity to obtain a Kansas identification card and marry under the name Minda Sue Landis. Powers then collected benefits from both the U.S. government and the State of Kansas using separate identities and maintained accounts at two banks to receive payments under both names.
Court records show that Powers applied for Social Security Administration Disability benefits in April 2005 as Minda Sue Landis. In August 2012, she applied for disability benefits using her real name but falsely claimed she had not previously applied. In August 2013, she also applied for Supplemental Security Income using her real name while misrepresenting her marital status and failing to disclose prior use of another name or social security number. That same month, she sought assistance from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program through the State of Kansas without reporting her marriage or spouse’s income.
Powers began receiving Medicaid benefits through the State of Kansas in December 2013 without disclosing relevant information that would have made her ineligible. In June 2023, she applied for Retirement Insurance Benefits through Social Security Administration with false statements about her marital status and previous use of other names. The scheme lasted an estimated ten years; losses included $137,839 by the United States and $315,257 by the State of Kansas.
“Public benefits provide a safety net to those who need and legally qualify for the assistance. Defrauding the system by misappropriating taxpayer money is a violation of public trust, and it’s only a matter of time until we find the perpetrators and hold them accountable,” said U.S Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser. “To reduce the risk of identity theft following the passing of a loved one, we encourage all next of kin or estate executors to report the death to the Social Security Administration and all major credit reporting agencies.”
A federal judge ordered Powers to pay approximately $452,097 in restitution as part of sentencing. “This sentencing sends a strong message that schemes to defraud Medicaid, SNAP, LIEAP, and Social Security Disability programs will not be tolerated,” stated Steven D. Anderson, Kansas Inspector General.
The case was investigated by multiple agencies including Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General; Office of Kansas Inspector General; Kansas Department for Children and Families; and Kansas Department of Revenue. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Oakley prosecuted this case.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Kansas advances justice across areas such as Kansas City, Wichita, and Lawrence; enforces federal laws against crime and discrimination; offers public education; supports community wellness; collaborates with Project Safe Neighborhoods; provides victim support; civil rights enforcement; and law enforcement training as part of its role within the Department of Justice, according to the official website.