Patricia Grifoni, Social Security Benefits Fraud, MA 2024

BOSTON – Patricia Grifoni, 53, of East Boston, learned today that lying to the government comes with a price. The East Boston woman was sentenced in U.S. District Court to one year of probation and ordered to cough up $95,515 in restitution after admitting to a decade-long scheme to illegally collect Social Security benefits.

Grifoni pleaded guilty in December 2016 to Social Security fraud, a charge stemming from her manipulation of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) system. The scheme revolved around benefits she received on behalf of her disabled daughter. SSI benefits are determined, in part, by a family’s financial need – a need Grifoni deliberately misrepresented.

Court documents reveal that beginning in 1995, Grifoni falsely told the Social Security Administration her husband no longer resided with her. This omission was crucial, as his income would have disqualified her daughter from receiving benefits. The lie worked for years, but investigators later discovered Grifoni’s husband had, in fact, lived with her and their daughter since at least 2005.

The deception allowed Grifoni to pocket $51,530 in fraudulent benefits between 2005 and 2011. While the initial fraud may have started earlier, investigators focused on this period where clear evidence demonstrated the husband’s continued presence in the household and the impact on eligibility. The total restitution order covers the fraudulently obtained funds, plus additional penalties.

“This sentence sends a clear message: defrauding Social Security is a serious crime with serious consequences,” stated Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb. Scott Antolik, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the agency’s commitment to protecting taxpayer funds. The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Landry of Weinreb’s Major Crimes Unit.

Grifoni’s probation will be overseen by the federal court system. The restitution order requires her to repay the full $95,515, a substantial sum that will likely require a payment plan. This case underscores the relentless pursuit of those who exploit federal programs for personal gain, even when the fraud unfolds over a long period.