Carmen Batts-Porter, Theft/Embezzlement of Federal Program Funds, Indiana 2023

INDIANAPOLIS - Carmen Batts-Porter, a 32-year-old Indianapolis resident, was arrested yesterday morning and charged with theft/embezzlement of federal program funds. Batts-Porter serves as the Community Business Counselor for the Center Township Trustees Office, where she administers Social Security or SSI payments to beneficiaries who are incapable of managing their own payments.

According to the criminal complaint, Batts-Porter allegedly embezzled $66,682 in Social Security Administration (SSA) funds held in trust for SSA beneficiaries between 2010 and 2014. The funds were discovered to be missing during a routine audit by SSA investigators.

"Stealing from those who are the least capable is a crime we will never look away from," said Acting United States Attorney Josh J Minkler. "If you do not uphold the public trust, our Public Integrity Working Group will find you, investigate you and the U.S. Attorney's Office will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law."

Batts-Porter worked at the Center Township Trustee's Office, which serves as the Representative Payee (RP) for Social Security benefits. The RP is responsible for using the SSI benefits to pay for current and foreseeable needs of the beneficiary. The Center Township Trustee's Office manages over $1 million annually for the Social Security Administration.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, and the Indiana State Board of Accounts are all partners in the U.S. Attorney's Public Integrity Working Group, which was launched in April 2012 with the stated purpose of aggressively investigating allegations of public fraud, waste and abuse by public officials in Indiana.

Batts-Porter could be sentenced up to 10 years in federal prison if convicted. She had her initial appearance before a magistrate judge yesterday and was released; no future court date has been set.

Carmen Batts-Porter, 32, Indianapolis, was charged with: Theft/embezzlement of federal program funds. The crime is alleged to have occurred between 2010 and 2014.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdin/pr/united-states-attorney-announces-arrest-center-township-official