Somerset Woman Charged With Converting Social Security Benefit Payments

Somerset Woman Charged With Converting Social Security Benefit Payments

The following press release was published by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys on Sept. 9, 2014. It is reproduced in full below.

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A resident of Somerset, Pa., has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Johnstown on a charge of conversion of government funds, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The one-count indictment named Lisa M. Azzarella, 44.

According to the indictment presented to the court, from Jan. 1, 2008, to Aug. 25, 2010, Azzarella did receive and convert falsely to her own use $21,124, which represents 32 separate Social Security Administration benefit payments made to her to which 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 U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Haines is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The 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.

Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys

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