A Mingo County woman has been sentenced to six months of federal incarceration for fraudulently obtaining Social Security Income benefits, announced United States Attorney Mike Stuart. Elizabeth Muncy, 43, of Kermit, Mingo County, West Virginia, was found guilty of stealing $91,683 from the Social Security Administration.
Muncy applied for Title XVI Social Security benefits in 1987, which are based on income and living arrangements. However, she failed to report a change in her income and living arrangements, resulting in her receiving excess benefits. From October 2006 through October 17, 2017, Muncy received $91,683 in Social Security benefits that she was not entitled to.
According to the investigation, Muncy indicated that she was married in 2008 but claimed she was not residing with her spouse. However, it was discovered that she had been married and living with her spouse since 2006. Their combined income would have lowered the amount of money she was receiving every month from the Social Security Administration.
On April 18, 2018, Muncy gave a detailed statement to federal investigators with the Office of Inspector General, admitting that she was living with her spouse the entire time and knew that she was receiving money that she was not entitled to receive. United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence, which includes six months of federal incarceration, followed by three years of supervised release.
Muncy was also ordered to pay restitution to the Social Security Administration in the amount of $91,683. United States Attorney Mike Stuart praised the work of the Social Security Administration-Office of Inspector General and the United States Social Security Administration, stating that "stealing social security benefits is despicable – truly despicable." He further emphasized that he has "no sympathy whatsoever for anyone ripping off social security and hard-working taxpayers by fraudulently stealing public benefits."
Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes handled the prosecution. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of reporting changes in income and living arrangements to the Social Security Administration to avoid fraudulently receiving excess benefits. Follow us on Twitter @SDWVNews and @USAttyStuart for more updates on federal crime cases in West Virginia.
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Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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