Julie Mijal, Theft of Public Money, Massachusetts 2017

BOSTON – A Malden woman has been caught red-handed in a brazen scheme to collect over $176,000 in government benefits by providing false information about her family. Julie Mijal, 40, pleaded guilty to three counts of theft of public money and three counts of making false statements.

The scheme, which spanned over a decade, involved Mijal collecting needs-based Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits on behalf of her child by telling the Social Security Administration that her child only lived with her and a sibling, and not with the child’s father. This allowed Social Security to not count the father’s income when determining whether Mijal’s child was eligible for benefits.

As a result, Mijal collected $87,053 in SSI benefits, $47,745 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, and $41,435 in MassHealth benefits by failing to disclose that her children’s father lived with them. The total amount of benefits collected is a staggering $176,233.

U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV has scheduled sentencing for December 13, 2017. Mijal faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater.

The investigation was led by the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division, with the assistance of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Massachusetts State Auditor’s Office. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Burzycki will be prosecuting the case.

Mijal’s scheme has left many wondering how someone could so blatantly disregard the law and cheat the system for so long. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability and the need for stricter oversight of government benefits programs.

As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen how Mijal’s actions will impact her family and community. One thing is certain, however: justice will be served, and Mijal will face the consequences of her actions.

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