Leah B. Foley United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts | Department of Justice
A Barre woman has been charged in federal court in Worcester with stealing more than $100,000 in Social Security benefits, according to an announcement on April 20 by the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by federal authorities to address fraud involving taxpayer-funded benefit programs. Jennifer Valley, 51, faces one count of theft of government money and is accused of taking approximately $100,218 in Social Security retirement benefits from October 2022 through August 2025. Valley will appear before a federal judge at a later date.
According to charging documents, the offense carries a potential sentence of up to ten years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine that could reach $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss involved. Sentencing decisions are made by a federal district court judge based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other legal factors.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley said: "On March 26, 2026, United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the creation of the Benefit & Voter Fraud Team, a district-wide initiative established in response to the rampant fraud being uncovered across Massachusetts." Foley also said: "The Team is led by two senior federal prosecutors serving as Fraud Coordinators, whose mission it is to aggressively investigate and prosecute misuse of taxpayer-funded benefits in Massachusetts." Members of the public are encouraged to report suspected benefit fraud by calling 1-855-SCAM-MA-1 (855-722-6621).
On April 7, "the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars." According to this statement: "Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste and abuse within Federal benefit programs." The details contained in these charges remain allegations; Valley is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts advances community initiatives on civil rights and violence prevention according to its official website. The office maintains facilities at Boston's John Joseph Moakley United States Federal Courthouse as well as branch offices in Springfield and Worcester according to its official website. It serves all residents throughout Massachusetts as part of its role within the United States Department of Justice according to its official website.
Employing over 200 attorneys and professional staff members according to its official website, this office prosecutes crimes including national security threats and civil rights violations according to its official website. It handles both criminal prosecutions and civil litigation for federal cases while promoting public safety across multiple offices statewide; it traces its origins back as one of America's earliest such entities founded in 1789 according to its official website.
