In a shocking case of government benefits abuse, a Belle Fourche woman has been sentenced to 10 months in federal prison for theft of government property and supplemental security income benefits fraud.
Cindy Lou Geib, 49, was convicted of Theft of Government Property, Supplemental Security Income Benefits Fraud, and False Statement. Geib was sentenced by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court, on February 20, 2019.
The conviction stems from Geib knowingly and willfully making false statements to the United States Social Security Administration and the South Dakota Department of Social Services, to obtain Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, Medicaid, and Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) benefits, to steal $112,468.10 in money and benefits for herself and her children between 2011 and 2017.
As part of her sentence, Geib was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund on each of the three felony charges. The time in federal prison is to run concurrently on each conviction. Geib was also ordered to pay $112,468.10 in restitution.
This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration Cooperative Disabilities Investigation Unit, with assistance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General and the South Dakota Department of Social Services Office of Recoveries and Fraud Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson prosecuted the case.
Geib was ordered to self-surrender to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service on March 20, 2019, to begin serving her sentence.
The case highlights the need for vigilance in preventing government benefits abuse and ensuring that those who abuse the system are held accountable.
MANDATORY FACTS:
Defendant: Cindy Lou Geib
Criminal Charges: Theft of Government Property, Supplemental Security Income Benefits Fraud, False Statement
City and State: Belle Fourche, South Dakota
Sentencing Date: February 20, 2019
Sentence: 10 months in federal prison and $112,468.10 in restitution
Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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