Belle Vernon Woman Swindles Social Security Out of $116K

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Teresa Sabolek, 68, of Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania, is facing the consequences for a brazen scheme to defraud the Social Security Administration (SSA) out of $116,758. Sabolek was sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to pay full restitution for her convictions of social security fraud and theft of government property, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today. The case lays bare a calculated deception designed to line Sabolek’s pockets at the expense of taxpayers.

United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan handed down the sentence. The scheme dates back to May 2009 when Sabolek initially applied for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) – a needs-based benefit for the disabled and elderly with limited income. The application requires full disclosure of assets, wages, and crucially, living arrangements. Sabolek deliberately misrepresented her situation, claiming her husband did not reside with her at their Belle Vernon home.

The lies continued in June 2022, when Sabolek doubled down, submitting a sworn statement – a document signed under penalty of perjury – reiterating that her husband hadn’t lived with her since the original 2009 application. Simultaneously, she filed for spousal benefits based on her husband’s Social Security earnings. A keen-eyed SSA clerk flagged a glaring inconsistency: the husband’s file *already* contained a sworn statement confirming he shared the Belle Vernon residence with his wife.

The SSA’s Office of the Inspector General launched a probe that quickly unraveled Sabolek’s deception. Evidence mounted, revealing the husband’s driver’s license, mailing address, and vehicle registrations all linked to the same address Sabolek claimed she occupied alone for over thirteen years. In December 2024, agents visited the Sabolek home. The husband answered the door, confirming he not only lived there but also contributed financially, covering the mortgage and utilities. Had Sabolek been truthful about her husband’s presence, she would have been ineligible for the SSI benefits she illegally collected.

Between May 2009 and August 2022, Sabolek systematically pocketed $116,758 in SSI benefits she wasn’t entitled to. Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna successfully prosecuted the case, bringing Sabolek to justice. This isn’t just about money; it’s about a deliberate betrayal of a system designed to help those truly in need.

Acting United States Attorney Rivetti praised the SSA’s Office of the Inspector General for their thorough investigation, stating it was crucial to securing the conviction. This case serves as a stark reminder that those who attempt to defraud the government will be held accountable, and the Grimy Times will be there to report it.