Roff Woman Farris Gets Probation for $13K Social Security Scam

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – Mary Louise Farris, 42, of Roff, Oklahoma, will spend the next three years under federal supervision and repaying $12,999 after pleading guilty to stealing from the Social Security Administration. The sentence was handed down by District Judge James H. Payne in Muskogee this week.

Farris, also known as Mary Louise Allen, admitted to knowingly collecting widow benefits she wasn’t entitled to. According to court documents, the scheme ran from February 22, 2012, through December 18, 2012, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma. The total amount fraudulently obtained exceeded $1,000, landing the case in federal court.

The investigation, spearheaded by the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General, revealed Farris willfully embezzled and converted the funds to her own use. Federal prosecutors detailed that the stolen money represented benefits paid to “Mary Lou Allen,” a name Farris also used, despite knowing she was ineligible.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Wilson presented the case for the United States, successfully arguing for a sentence that includes restitution. The judge ordered Farris to fully repay the $12,999 taken from the government. The court records confirm the charge was Theft Of Government Funds, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641.

While three years of probation avoids a prison sentence, Farris will be monitored by federal authorities and faces further consequences if she violates the terms of her release. This case serves as a stark reminder that defrauding the government, even for what may seem like a small amount, carries significant legal repercussions.

The Grimy Times will continue to follow federal cases in Oklahoma and across the nation. This case highlights the ongoing efforts of the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General to root out fraud and protect taxpayer dollars. Details regarding Farris’s probation conditions were not immediately released.