Karlotta Venegas, Social Security Fraud, Iowa 2013

Webster City Woman Pleads Guilty to Social Security Fraud

Karlotta Venegas, a 44-year-old resident of Webster City, Iowa, has admitted to committing a brazen scheme involving Social Security benefits. The mother-of-one, who remains free on conditions of release, has pleaded guilty to Supplemental Security Income Benefits Fraud in federal court in Sioux City.

According to the investigation, Venegas concealed her multiple trips outside the United States from the Social Security Administration, allowing her to receive Supplemental Security Income benefits for five years. Between August 2008 and September 2013, she traveled abroad eight times, each time staying over thirty days. Her deceitful actions enabled her to collect over $23,000 in benefits she was not entitled to.

The guilty plea was entered in a plea agreement, where Venegas admitted to her wrongdoing and agreed to cooperate with the prosecution. Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Mark Bennett will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Venegas may face up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, a $100 special assessment, and three years of supervised release.

The case, which is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Morfitt, was investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General. The evidence gathered during the investigation will be used to determine the extent of Venegas' involvement in the scheme.

As the investigation continues, the public is reminded that Social Security benefits are meant for those in genuine need. Any individual found to be defrauding the system will be held accountable for their actions.

The case file number is 15-CR-3018, and court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/.

The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Iowa can be followed on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndia/pr/webster-city-woman-pleads-guilty-social-security-fraud