Orlando, Florida - United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces that a federal jury today found Jaimi Hawkins (51, Winter Springs) guilty of theft of government funds and making a false statement to a federal agency. Hawkins faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison for the theft offense and up to 5 years’ imprisonment for the false statement offense. Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for Sept. 2, 2019.
Hawkins was indicted on Feb. 13, 2019.
According to evidence presented at trial, Hawkins made omissions and misrepresentations regarding her son’s living arrangements on an application for Supplemental Security Income. She also made misrepresentations and omissions regarding her son’s living arrangements during a subsequent benefit review interview. Hawkins knew that her son’s true living arrangements would have made him ineligible for benefits. As a result of the omissions and misrepresentations, Hawkins obtained $30,705 in Supplemental Security Income benefits to which she was not entitled.
Hawkins also made false statements to the Social Security Administration regarding how she spent the Supplemental Security Income benefits received on behalf of her son.
This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Huyler and Assistant United States Attorney Emily Chang.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
