Leah B. Foley United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts | Department of Justice
A Gardner resident, Michelle M. DiSalvo, has been charged in federal court in Worcester with fraudulently obtaining Social Security disability benefits over a ten-year period.
DiSalvo, 53, faces one count each of receipt of stolen government money or property, Social Security fraud, and making false statements. She is scheduled to appear before the U.S. District Court in Worcester at a future date.
Court documents allege that between October 2013 and October 2023, DiSalvo received about $93,640 in disability benefits from the Social Security Administration while knowingly not being eligible for them. Authorities claim she concealed significant information from the agency to obtain these benefits and submitted a fraudulent lease agreement in October 2023.
It is further alleged that DiSalvo intentionally left her husband’s name off the lease because reporting that they lived together would have impacted her benefit amount due to his income and resources.
If convicted of receiving stolen government money or property, DiSalvo could face up to ten years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss. The charges of Social Security fraud and false statements each carry potential sentences of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and similar fines. Sentencing decisions are made by a federal judge based on applicable guidelines and statutes.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley stated: "The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law." Amy Connelly, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Social Security Administration’s Office of Investigations Boston Field Division joined Foley in announcing the charges. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Nagelberg is prosecuting the case.
