Philadelphia woman charged with theft of government funds
Tuesday, May 29, 2018
PHILADELPHIA – A Philadelphia woman was charged May 24 by indictment with five counts of wire fraud, one count of theft of government funds, and one count of social security fraud, announced United States Attorney William M. McSwain.
According to the indictment[1], Cassandra Boone, 67, created a second identity to continue working while she simultaneously received disability benefits under her real name. The defendant’s alleged actions resulted in government losses totaling approximately $121,690.
“When someone defrauds the system, we’re all victims,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “We have to preserve the integrity of our Social Security system, and one way we do that is stopping those who are gaming the system for their own benefit.”
If convicted, defendant Cassandra Boone faces a maximum sentence of 115 years’ incarceration, a period of supervised release, full restitution to the government, and a fine.
The case was investigated by the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, and the Pennsylvania State Police, and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Christopher E. Parisi.
[1] An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.