Leah B. Foley United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts | Department of Justice
An East Weymouth resident, Debora A. Siler, 68, has been charged in federal court in Boston with bank fraud related to Social Security benefits. Siler is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court on September 11, 2025.
Prosecutors allege that from June 2015 through September 2020, Siler obtained about $61,685.13 in Social Security benefits by accessing the checkbook and debit card of a beneficiary who died in May 2015. The charging documents state that instead of notifying the Social Security Administration or the relevant bank about the death, Siler allegedly continued to use the deceased person's financial accounts by forging checks and making debit card transactions.
The bank fraud charge carries a maximum sentence of up to 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release, and a fine up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss involved. Sentencing decisions are made by a federal district court judge according to U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other legal factors.
"United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Amy Connelly, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division made the announcement. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Nagelberg of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case."
Authorities emphasized that these are allegations at this stage: "The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law."
