Dianne Josephine Chess, Social Security Fraud, Minnesota 2013

Grimy Times - MINNEAPOLIS—A former Social Security Administration representative pleaded guilty to her role in a conspiracy to defraud the SSA. Dianne Josephine Chess, 50, of St. Paul, entered her plea before United States District Court Chief Judge Michael J. Davis.

Chess was employed as a service representative at a SSA branch office in St. Paul from 2001 through June 2010. Her responsibilities included inputting information provided by applicants seeking Social Security numbers into a computerized data system. Based on that information, the Commissioner of Social Security would assign Social Security account numbers and issue Social Security cards to eligible applicants. Chess admitted entering false information into the SSA’s computer system and processing applications based on the false information so her co-conspirators would receive Social Security account numbers and cards.

Chess pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit Social Security fraud. Her co-defendants, Victor Ray Holloway, Larhea Lynn Nakao, and Angela Grace Hinkle, have also pleaded guilty to various charges related to the scheme.

Victor Ray Holloway, 52, of Richfield, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and one count of theft of public funds. In his plea agreement, Holloway admitted that from 2001 through June 2010, he conspired with Chess and others to deceive the SSA. He also admitted to embezzling approximately $77,318 in unentitled Supplemental Security Income benefits.

Larhea Lynn Nakao, 34, of Brooklyn Park, pleaded guilty to one count of use of a false Social Security number and one count of theft of public funds. Nakao admitted that Victor Holloway provided her with a fraudulently obtained Social Security card and that she used the false Social Security number while applying for unemployment benefits and Section 8 housing assistance payments.

Angela Grace Hinkle, 47, of Lewisville, Texas, pleaded guilty to one count of use of a false Social Security number. Hinkle admitted that Victor Holloway provided her with a fraudulent Social Security card and that she used the Social Security number while applying for a Minnesota identification card.

The four defendants face a potential maximum penalty of five years on each count. Judge Davis will determine their sentences at future hearings.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mn/pr/four-individuals-plead-guilty-conspiring-commit-social-security-fraud