Carmen Needy, Theft of Government Money, Missouri 2024

A St. Louis woman has been caught red-handed in a brazen scheme to siphon off her deceased father's Social Security benefits, netting her a whopping $55,381.

Carmen Needy, 65, pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government money, a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both.

The Social Security benefits, which continued to be deposited onto a debit card even after her father's death on Aug. 31, 2016, were used by Needy between 2016 and May 2020.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Klocke, the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General investigated the case.

Needy's crime is a stark reminder of the importance of ensuring that government benefits go to those who are entitled to them.

She is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 30, 2025.

The exact amount of money Needy stole from her father's retirement benefits is $55,381, which is a substantial sum of money that could have been used for good in the community.

The case serves as a warning to those who would seek to exploit the system for personal gain.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edmo/pr/st-louis-woman-admits-theft-dead-fathers-retirement-benefits