Dead Mom Racket: Austin Woman Gets Year for $360K Scam

MINNEAPOLIS – Mavious Redmond, 54, of Austin, Minnesota, is headed to federal prison after admitting to a brazen, decades-long scheme to steal over $360,000 in Social Security benefits. Redmond was sentenced to a year and a day in prison, followed by a year of supervised release, by U.S. District Judge Brasel, who clearly wasn’t impressed with the sheer gall of the operation.

Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson didn’t mince words, calling Redmond’s actions “brazen and shameless.” He emphasized the impact of the crime, stating, “For 25 years, she posed as her dead mother to steal more than $360,000 in social security benefits. This wasn’t free money. It was taxpayer money, stolen from a program built on the hard work of Minnesotans.” Thompson vowed continued prosecution of similar cases, framing them as part of a larger “fraud crisis” gripping the state.

Court documents reveal the scam began in 1999, shortly after Redmond’s mother passed away. Instead of reporting the death to the Social Security Administration (SSA) as instructed, Redmond actively concealed it, initiating a 25-year charade. She fraudulently collected $360,627 in benefits, meticulously maintaining the illusion that her mother was still alive. The scheme wasn’t a momentary lapse in judgment; it was a sustained, deliberate act of deception.

The lies escalated over time. Redmond didn’t just avoid reporting her mother’s death, she actively became her. She forged her mother’s signature on official forms, used her mother’s biographical information, and even changed the address on file to match her own. Remarkably, on June 4, 2024, Redmond walked into an SSA office and, in person, submitted a fraudulent application as her deceased mother, complete with a forged signature. The audacity is staggering.

The deception went even further, ensnaring the Internal Revenue Service. The IRS, believing Redmond’s mother was still living, issued $3,200 in COVID-19 Economic Impact Payments to her bank account – funds Redmond promptly pocketed. Judge Brasel specifically cited the length of the fraud and Redmond’s repeated impersonation of her deceased mother, both in person and over the phone, as aggravating factors during sentencing. It wasn’t just the money; it was the constant, calculated manipulation.

The investigation was a joint effort by the Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General and the IRS. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew D. Evans successfully prosecuted the case. Redmond’s case serves as a grim reminder that even seemingly “victimless” crimes have consequences, and that federal agencies are actively pursuing those who exploit taxpayer-funded programs for personal gain. This isn’t a victimless crime – it’s theft from everyone who pays taxes.