Fall River Woman Stole $84K in Disability Benefits

Gloria Camara, 58, of Fall River, Massachusetts, admitted in federal court today to stealing $84,222 in Social Security disability benefits over a decade-long scheme built on lies and deliberate concealment. Camara, once deemed too disabled to work, cashed disability checks while secretly working full-time as a caregiver — all while swearing under oath she had no income.

Camara pleaded guilty to one count of theft of public funds and one count of making a false statement before U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani, who set sentencing for December 15, 2020. The fraud began in November 2009, when Camara took a job as a caregiver but never reported a dime to the Social Security Administration. Each time she faced a routine eligibility review — including one as recently as April 20, 2017 — she lied, claiming her only earnings were from unemployment in 2008 and sporadic work between 2003 and 2011.

Those lies paid off — for her. Unchecked, Camara continued collecting benefits she wasn’t entitled to from November 2009 through October 2019. The Social Security system, designed to help those truly unable to work, was manipulated to fund a hidden livelihood. The total theft: $84,222 in taxpayer-funded disability payments.

Now, she faces the consequences. The charge of theft of public funds carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or double the amount stolen, whichever is greater. The second charge — making a false statement — brings up to five years in prison, three years supervised release, and a similar fine.

Federal sentencing guidelines and statutory factors will determine Camara’s ultimate punishment. But the message from prosecutors is clear: disability fraud isn’t a victimless crime. It drains resources meant for the truly vulnerable and betrays public trust.

The case was announced by United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Tonya Perkins, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division. Prosecution was handled by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Burzycki of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit.

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