Suzanne Hercock, Social Security Fraud, Maine 2008

A Berwick woman has admitted to perpetrating a yearslong scheme to defraud the Social Security Administration (SSA) out of benefits meant for her children, according to a recent guilty plea in federal court.

Suzanne Hercock, 46, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Portland to Social Security fraud, a crime that involves lying to the SSA about the presence of her husband, the children’s father, in the household, to fraudulently collect Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments on behalf of her children.

According to court records, Hercock’s deception spanned approximately December 2008 to February 2020. During this time, she falsely represented to the SSA that she and her husband lived separately, and failed to disclose her husband’s presence and income, despite knowing that she was required to and that it would affect her eligibility to receive benefits.

The SSA’s Office of the Inspector General investigated the case, which exposed Hercock’s scheme to perpetuate the fraud and collect benefits that did not rightfully belong to her.

As a result of her guilty plea, Hercock faces up to five years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release. The Court may also order Hercock to pay restitution to the SSA.

A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The case highlights the importance of vigilance in detecting and preventing Social Security fraud, which can have serious consequences for those who are genuinely in need of these benefits.

Defendant: Suzanne Hercock, 46, of Berwick, Maine.

Crime: Social Security fraud.

City and State: Portland, Maine.

Date: Approximately December 2008 to February 2020.

Sentence: Up to 5 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.

Dollar amount: $250,000.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-me/pr/berwick-woman-pleads-guilty-yearslong-fraud-obtain-benefits