Connie Pates, Theft of Government Property, South Dakota 2019

Rapid City Woman Sentenced for Theft of Federal Funds

A Rapid City woman has been sentenced for her role in a scheme that saw her steal federal and state funds for herself and a minor child she falsely claimed was living with her.

Connie Pates, age 38, was convicted of Theft of Government Property, Misuse of Funds by Representative Payee, and False Statement. The conviction stems from Pates falsely claiming that a minor child was living with her in order to receive the child’s Title XVI Supplemental Security Income, as well as SNAP and Medicare benefits for herself and the child between May 2015 and July 2018 at Rapid City.

The investigation was conducted by the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson prosecuted the case.

Pates was sentenced on July 22, 2019, to 5 years of probation, and was ordered to pay a $300 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, $18,644.73 in restitution to the Social Security Administration, and $3,764 in restitution to the South Dakota Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

The conviction is a reminder that those who seek to take advantage of the system will be held accountable. Pates’ actions were not only a betrayal of the trust placed in her, but also a misuse of funds that could have been better used to support those in need.

Rapid City, South Dakota, is a community that prides itself on its values of honesty and integrity. The actions of individuals like Pates are a disservice to those values and will not be tolerated.

The Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General would like to remind the public that anyone with information regarding potential fraud or abuse of government programs should contact them immediately.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/rapid-city-woman-sentenced-theft-federal-and-state-funds