COLUMBUS, OH – Roxanne Bates, 52, of Columbus, is facing federal prison time after admitting today to a cold-hearted scheme to steal her deceased mother’s Social Security benefits. Bates pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to one count of theft of public money, a charge stemming from nearly eight years of illicit withdrawals.
Court documents reveal Bates continued to siphon funds from her mother’s account long after the woman died in January 2012. The Social Security Administration, unaware of the death, continued to deposit monthly disability benefits – a total of $146,143 – into an account controlled by the late mother. Bates didn’t bother to notify the agency; instead, she methodically withdrew the money using a debit card bearing her mother’s name.
The brazen theft went undetected until an audit by the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General flagged the suspicious activity. Investigators quickly zeroed in on the account, discovering a pattern of withdrawals continuing years after the beneficiary’s death. When confronted by agents in August 2020, Bates confessed to pilfering the funds.
“This wasn’t a momentary lapse in judgment,” said a source close to the investigation, speaking on condition of anonymity. “This was a sustained, calculated effort to defraud the government and steal money rightfully belonging to a program designed to help those in need. Bates treated her mother’s benefits as a personal slush fund.”
The theft of public money carries a potential sentence of up to ten years behind bars. However, the final sentence will be determined based on federal sentencing guidelines. As part of a plea agreement, Bates is now obligated to repay the full $146,143 she illegally obtained. Acting United States Attorney Vipal J. Patel announced the guilty plea, entered before U.S. Magistrate Judge Norah McCann King.
The case was a cooperative effort between the U.S. Secret Service and the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General. Special Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Landry is prosecuting the case. While the money may be recovered, the callous disregard for her mother’s legacy is a stain that will follow Bates for years to come. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as sentencing approaches.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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