SHREVEPORT, La. - United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a Shreveport woman pleaded guilty to stealing more than $39,000 in Social Security benefit payments.
Stephanie D. Lynn, 49, of Shreveport, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. to one count of theft of government funds. According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, from May 2009 to December 2013, Lynn cashed and used her deceased son’s Social Security benefit checks, to which she was not entitled. She also did not inform the Social Security Administration that her son had died and submitted paperwork stating that he was alive in order to continue receiving the checks. The total amount taken was $39,435.
Lynn faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine and restitution. A sentencing date of April 29, 2015 was set.
The Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg is prosecuting the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
