Muskogee Woman Stole $1,000+ from Social Security Funds
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a brazen display of greed, 76-year-old Laura Virginia Howard of Muskogee, Oklahoma, has pleaded guilty to stealing over $1,000 from Social Security funds, a federal offense punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
According to court documents, between February 28, 2007, and June 26, 2024, Howard willfully and knowingly embezzled, stole, and converted for her own use and the use of others, money and things of value exceeding $1,000.00 of the United States and the Social Security Administration paid to a retirement claimant, to which Howard knew she was not entitled.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Social Security Administration—Office of the Inspector General, a watchdog agency tasked with rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse within the Social Security system.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Satter, Kara Traster, and Jonathan Soverly represented the United States in the case, which is now set to head to sentencing phase after a presentence investigation report is completed.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Jason A. Robertson accepted Howard’s guilty plea and ordered the completion of the report, which will be used to determine the severity of her sentence. A U.S. District Court Judge will ultimately decide the sentence, taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Howard’s actions are a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of stealing from those who rely on Social Security for their livelihood. Her sentence will serve as a warning to others who would seek to exploit the system for personal gain.
Related Federal Cases
- Muskogee Woman Admits Stealing Social Security Funds · Oklahoma
- Konawa Woman Cops to Stealing $45K in Social Security Funds · Oklahoma
- 23andMe Faces Legal Fire for Genetic Data Sale · Washington
- Live Nation Faces Trial Over Monopoly Practices · Washington
- 23andMe Faces Lawsuit for Selling Genetic Data · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Oklahoma
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
