Abingdon, Va. – In a shocking case of financial deception, 79-year-old Martha Patrick Williams has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $255,000 in Black Lung and Social Security benefits.
According to court documents, Williams is the daughter of Gracie Neel Winningham, who died in 2003. Following her mother’s death, Williams continued to receive monthly Black Lung benefit checks made payable to her mother, totaling $255,823. In order to maintain these benefits, Williams forged her mother’s signature on DOL Form CM-929, the annual certification of personal information required by the DOL.
Williams also received Social Security payments made payable to her deceased mother, which she endorsed and deposited into her own bank account. The scheme went on for nearly two decades, from 2003 until 2021.
The defendant, Martha Patrick Williams, waived her right to be indicted and pleaded guilty to one count of receipt and conversion of public monies and one count of fraud in connection with Black Lung benefits and the receipt of Social Security benefits in the name of her long-deceased mother.
The charges to which she pleaded guilty carry a maximum statutory sentence of 10 years. Williams’ sentencing has not been scheduled yet.
The case is being investigated by the Department of Labor, the Social Security Administration, and the Russell County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Murphy is prosecuting the case.
U.S. Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh of the Western District of Virginia made the announcement, stating that financial crimes such as this one will be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
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Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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