PITTSBURGH, PA - Five western Pennsylvania residents have been indicted by a grand jury on charges of theft of government property, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
A one-count indictment named Loraleigh Helen Barber, 48, of Erie, Pennsylvania. According to the Indictment, from Jan. 1, 2007 through Aug. 2, 2019, Barber received $127,636 in Old Age, Survivor’s Disability Insurance benefits from the United States Social Security Administration, to which she knew she was not entitled. Ms. Barber had served as a representative payee for her father and after he died in December of 2006, yet she never advised the Social Security Administration and kept on receiving and spending the benefits intended for her father.
A one-count indictment named Ferlicia Bell, 49, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. According to the Indictment, from in or around December 2010 through June 13, 2019, Bell improperly received $76,407 in Old Age, Survivor’s Disability Insurance benefits from the United States Social Security Administration, benefits that had been intended for her deceased mother-in-law, benefits to which she knew she was not entitled.
A one-count indictment named Linda Ann Foltz, 33, of Coraopolis, Pennsylvania. According to the Indictment, from March 1, 2017 through July 1, 2019, Foltz received $21,747 in Old Age, Survivor’s Disability Insurance benefits from the United States Social Security Administration, Benefits which were intended for her deceased mother and to which she knew she was not entitled.
A one-count indictment named Mitchell Edward McGrew, 31, of Cheswick, Pennsylvania. According to the Indictment, from Jan. 10, 2018 through March 13, 2019, McGrew received $28,230 in Old Age, Survivor’s Disability Insurance benefits from the United States Social Security Administration, benefits which were intended to go to his deceased father, benefits to which he knew he was not entitled.
A one-count indictment named Shane L. Black, 47, of Nemacolin, Pennsylvania. According to the Indictment, from on or about Dec. 1, 2017 through Dec. 31, 2019, Black received $10,506 in Old Age, Survivor’s Disability Insurance benefits from the United States Social Security Administration, to which he knew he was not entitled. The benefits had been designated for a woman who was Black’s roommate but who had passed away in 2017.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both, for each of the defendants. 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.
The United States 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
