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Defendant Pleads Guilty to Swindling Social Security
A hard-hitting case of Social Security benefits fraud has come to light in Kansas. April M. Martinez, a 37-year-old Olathe woman, pleaded guilty to collecting over $53,000 in benefits from the program without being eligible.
According to the U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom, Martinez first became eligible for Title II Disability Insurance Benefits in May 1998. The Social Security Administration also approved her application for Supplemental Security Income. However, the terms of the programs required her to report if she returned to work while receiving benefits.
But Martinez didn’t comply. From November 2007 through May 2011, she intentionally failed to disclose to the Social Security Administration that she had returned to work. During this time, she worked as a Certified Nurse Aid (CNA) at the Olathe Medical Center, collecting $53,827 in Social Security disability benefits she wasn’t entitled to.
The U.S. Attorney commended the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General and Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys Trey Alford and Trent Krug for their work on the case. Martinez faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.
The case highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in government programs. It’s a stark reminder that those who exploit these systems will be held accountable.
Grissom’s office will announce the sentencing date at a later time. Until then, Martinez remains a defendant in the eyes of the law, facing the possibility of severe punishment for her crimes.
The case against Martinez serves as a warning to those who would think of swindling the system. The Social Security Administration and law enforcement agencies will continue to work together to root out fraud and ensure that those who cheat the system are brought to justice.
Key Facts
- State: Kansas
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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