Kimberly Kay Brandt, Social Security Fraud, California 2023

A Tijuana woman has been sentenced to prison for stealing her dead mother's social security benefits, totaling over $268,000.

Kimberly Kay Brandt, a 51-year-old U.S. citizen living in Tijuana, was sentenced in federal court to 12 months and one day in prison for concealing her mother's death from the Social Security Administration for 13 years to steal more than $268,000 in retirement benefits.

Brandt pleaded guilty to Social Security fraud in August 2023, according to court records. Her mother, identified as H.B., had been receiving retirement benefits from the Social Security Administration via direct deposit into her bank account.

After H.B. died in June 2010, Brandt did not inform the SSA and continued to use H.B.'s bank card to withdraw the benefits intended for H.B. Brandt admitted to impersonating her mother in calls to the bank, purportedly to update H.B.'s address and request a new bank card in H.B.'s name.

Brandt was arrested on June 27, 2023, as she attempted to cross into the U.S. from Mexico, three weeks after the SSA benefits stopped. She was ordered to pay $268,143 in restitution to the Social Security Administration.

This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa J. Sanniti.

Brandt was ordered to pay restitution, and the case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa J. Sanniti.

Kimberly Kay Brandt, 51, Age: 51, Tijuana, Mexico, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison for Social Security Fraud - Title 42, U.S.C., Section 408(a)(4), Maximum penalty: Five years in prison and $250,000 fine, on November 13, 2023.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdca/pr/tijuana-woman-sentenced-12-months-stealing-dead-mothers-social-security-benefits-13