A federal jury in Columbia, South Carolina, has found Cynthia Delores Holland guilty of fraudulently collecting Social Security benefits intended for her deceased mother. Holland, 61, of Aiken and a former county director of voter registration and elections, was convicted after a trial lasting a day and a half.
Investigators determined that Holland’s mother died in 2013, but retirement benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) continued to be paid into their joint account due to an administrative error. Instead of reporting her mother’s death to the SSA, Holland transferred the funds into her personal account and spent them. This activity continued until December 2022 when the SSA discovered the mistake and ended the payments. Over nearly ten years, Holland received more than $168,000 through this scheme.
The error came to light during an SSA review project in 2021 known as the Death Match Project. The SSA worked with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control to verify deaths dating back to 2005 and cross-checked those records against its list of beneficiaries. This process led to identifying irregularities associated with Holland’s mother’s name.
“Holland’s actions showed a decade of deception as she continued receiving and spending benefits intended for her deceased mother,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “We are committed to protecting our taxpayer-funded systems from fraud and abuse.”
“Cynthia Holland exploited her own mother’s death to steal from a program meant to support the most vulnerable,” said Michelle L. Anderson, Acting Inspector General for SSA. “As a former public official, her deception is especially troubling. We will continue to pursue those who abuse Social Security for personal gain.”
Holland could face up to 10 years in federal prison, along with a fine up to $250,000, restitution payments, and three years of supervised release following any prison term. Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr., who presided over the trial, will sentence Holland after reviewing a report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
The case was investigated by agents from the Social Security Administration's Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Winston Holliday and Scott Matthews are prosecuting.
