Jason R. Coody, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida
Rhonda Lynn Lopez, a 59-year-old resident of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, has admitted guilt in federal court to charges of theft of government property. This development was made public by John P. Heekin, the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
United States Attorney Heekin stated: “By falsely claiming benefits she knew she had no right to receive, the defendant stole resources that were intended for those truly in need. I appreciate the hard work of our law enforcement partners to identify, investigate, and stop this criminal, and I want to make clear that my office will continue to aggressively prosecute anyone who defrauds the government.”
According to court documents, Lopez provided inaccurate information during her benefit reviews with the Social Security Administration (SSA). The investigation revealed discrepancies regarding her assets and finances, leading SSA to conclude that Lopez was not eligible for Supplemental Security Income payments from approximately May 28, 1998. Consequently, she unlawfully obtained over $206,000 from the U.S. Government.
Lopez could face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine up to $250,000.
The plea follows an investigation conducted by the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey M. Tharp prosecuted the case.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one among 94 offices serving as principal litigators under the guidance of the Attorney General. Public court documents can be accessed online via the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. Additional information about this office is available at http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
