Reta Jo Carpenter, Social Security Fraud, MO, 2023

Federal Judge M. Douglas Harpool sentenced Reta Jo Carpenter, 53, and her husband Oren Daniel Carpenter, 52, of Nevada, Mo., to a combined term of 15 months in federal prison for their roles in Social Security fraud.

Reta Carpenter received a 15-month sentence, while Oren Carpenter was sentenced to five years of probation. Both were also ordered to pay $96,711 in restitution to the Social Security Administration.

The Carpenters pleaded guilty on Oct. 7, 2014, to making false statements to the SSA. Reta Carpenter, who had been receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits since 1990 despite being unemployed and disabled, falsely claimed that she no longer lived with her husband in 1997. Her husband, Oren, also lied during his interview with federal agents, stating they did not share a residence and falsely claiming he was living with other family members.

This deceitful act led to Reta Carpenter’s eligibility for SSI benefits being reevaluated without considering Oren’s income. As a result, she received overpayments totaling $99,411 as of Aug. 23, 2012.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven M. Mohlhenrich prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General.