Effie Mae Youmans, Theft of Public Money, South Carolina 2024

COLUMBIA, S.C., February 20, 2024 – In a shocking case of pension theft, Effie Mae Youmans, 71, of Columbia, has pleaded guilty to stealing a dead relative’s pension benefits. Youmans, a relative of the deceased retiree, knowingly collected pension payments totaling $54,450 over a period of 18 months after the retiree’s death.

According to investigators, the Savannah River Nuclear Site (SRNS) continued to make pension payments to the deceased retiree’s account without being informed of the death. Youmans, who was also an SRNS pension recipient, withdrew the overpayment funds from the bank account, knowing she was not entitled to the money.

The case was investigated by the Department of Energy Office of Inspector General, and Assistant U.S. Attorney John Potterfield is prosecuting the case. Youmans will repay the stolen money as part of her plea agreement.

Effie Mae Youmans’ guilty plea is a significant blow to those who seek to exploit and deceive the public trust. The National Fraud Enforcement Division, created by the Department of Justice, is committed to investigating and prosecuting individuals who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars.

The Department of Justice’s efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.

United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr. accepted Youmans’ guilty plea and will sentence her after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office. The case against Effie Mae Youmans serves as a reminder that the law will hold individuals accountable for their actions and that those who seek to exploit the system will be brought to justice.

As part of her plea agreement, Effie Mae Youmans will repay the stolen money, which totals $54,450. The exact date of sentencing has not been announced, but it is expected to take place in the coming months.

The case against Effie Mae Youmans is a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and oversight in protecting taxpayer dollars and preventing fraud. The National Fraud Enforcement Division will continue to work tirelessly to investigate and prosecute those who seek to exploit and deceive the public trust.

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