Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Roselyn Goodrum, age 47, of Florence, has been sentenced to 27 months imprisonment after pleading guilty to Conspiracy, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371, regarding the administration of farm-related disaster benefits. She also was ordered to pay over $146,000 in restitution to the federal government. United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell of Florence presided over the hearing. Goodrum pled guilty Sept. 1, 2016.
Evidence presented to the court established that Roselyn Goodrum was in charge of the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Florence office from 2006 through 2014. In February 2014, Ice Storm Pax caused extensive damage to farms in the Pee Dee. As a result, farmers could make claims to the FSA for financial assistance to clean up their land. Goodrum filed multiple false applications in the names of family members who were not entitled to these benefits, enriching herself and others. After FSA employees discovered the theft and suspended her, Goodrum surreptitiously re-entered the office and shredded incriminating documents. Overall, she illegally obtained $146,401 that she was not entitled to in fraudulent benefits.
The case was investigated by agents of the United States Department of Agriculture and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Winston Holliday. ##
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
