MONROE, La.
A Calhoun woman has been sentenced to a year in prison for stealing over $100,000 in government funds, according to a recent U.S. Attorney’s office announcement.
Megan Elliott Wilson, 43, of Calhoun, Louisiana, stole the funds from her deceased mother’s account, using the benefits meant for her mother to live on after she passed away in 2009.
Elliott’s mother, Anne Elliott, was a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Social Security Administration (SSA) program beneficiary who died in August 2009.
The government agencies were initially unaware of Elliott’s death and paid $77,942.75 in VA benefits and $24,662 in SSA benefits via direct deposit to a bank account in Elliott’s name.
Upon learning of Elliott’s death, the agencies attempted to reclaim the funds, but the funds had been fraudulently withdrawn from the account by Elliott’s daughter, Megan Elliott Wilson, who accessed the funds online and forged checks on the account converting the funds to her own use.
The total loss to the government is $102,604.75. Wilson pleaded guilty on October 31, 2017, to one count of theft of government funds.
U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty sentenced Wilson on November 7, 2018, to one year in prison, three years of supervised release, and ordered her to pay $102,604.75 in restitution.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs – Office of Inspector General and the Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary J. Mudrick prosecuting the case.
Megan Elliott Wilson was sentenced to a lengthy period of supervision and ordered to pay back the full amount she stole from the government.
The case serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting government funds and the consequences of stealing from those who need them.
The U.S. Attorney’s office will continue to work to protect government funds and hold those accountable who steal from them.
Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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