⏱ 2 min read
A former Social Security Administration (SSA) employee, Myrna Faria, has been found guilty of stealing approximately $1,812,455.10 in SSA funds in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Faria, who worked as a Social Insurance Specialist and Claims Specialist from 1991 to 2019, embezzled the funds from March 2012 to March 2024 by submitting false claims on behalf of deceased individuals and approving them herself. She then used her own bank and address information to receive the corresponding SSA beneficiary proceeds.
Faria’s scheme involved submitting and approving 13 fraudulent claims over the course of 12 years. She would withdraw, transfer, and spend the money from the accounts that fraudulently obtained the SSA funds. The investigation was conducted by the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, with assistance from the Puerto Rico Police Department.
Faria’s conviction on June 24, 2026, came after a week-long trial, where she was found guilty of 23 counts, including theft of Social Security funds, Social Security misuse, and aggravated identity theft. The case was announced by U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow of the District of Puerto Rico, along with other law enforcement officials.
The conviction of Faria highlights the importance of holding public officials accountable for their actions, especially when it comes to the misuse of public funds. The SSA and other law enforcement agencies will continue to investigate and prosecute those who engage in such activities.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Defendant: Puerto Rico
- Location: PR
- Source: DOJ Press Release
