Binghamton Woman Hit with 38 Counts of Social Security Fraud

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – It’s a kick to the gut for Binghamton, as Loretta Washington, 59, faces a mountain of charges. The gritty defendant was arraigned on a federal indictment today, charging her with no less than 38 counts of social security fraud.

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According to the grim indictment, Washington, the city’s own, had a greedy eye on the SS benefits meant for a minor. She donned the role of representative-payee, a person chosen by the SSA to manage payments for those who can’t. But as the charges allege, she swiped over $25,000 in social security benefits between October 2018 and November 2021.

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The severity of Washington’s crime is not lost on justice, with the potential sentence as dark as her deed: up to five years behind bars, a fine that could reach a quarter of a million dollars, and a supervised release term that drags on for three years. It’s all part of the heavy penalty for those who betray the trust of the social security system.

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But as grim as these charges are, they are merely accusations at this stage. Loretta Washington is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a judge’s decision.

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The SSA-OIG is the keen eye on this case, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Tuck is the one leading the prosecution. It’s a battle against fraud that has gripped Binghamton and New York as the story unfolds.