Marie Coleman, Social Security Benefits Fraud, Massachusetts 2023

Social Security Benefits Heist Lands Woman in Hot Water

Marie Coleman, 49, was arrested today and charged in federal court in Springfield with concealing events affecting the right to payment of Social Security benefits, a crime that’s left a trail of financial devastation in her wake.

According to investigators, Coleman served as the representative payee for an individual who was receiving Social Security benefits. However, she failed to disclose that the individual stopped living with her in November 2008. This deceitful move enabled her to continue receiving benefits on the individual’s behalf until January 2017, racking up a staggering $69,000 in Social Security benefits that she wasn’t entitled to.

The brazen scheme has landed Coleman with a serious charge, one that carries a possible sentence of five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The court will ultimately decide her fate, but one thing is clear: Coleman’s actions have earned her a spot in the hot seat.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Scott Antolik, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Morgan of Lelling’s Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

As authorities continue to crack down on Social Security benefits scams, one thing is clear: those who engage in this type of crime will be held accountable.