Three women from St. Clair County have been accused of defrauding the Social Security Administration out of thousands of dollars in government benefits.
According to the indictments, Lashonda Russell, 38, of Cahokia; Amber Dawn Adams, 33, of Fayetteville; and Tara Star Johndrow, 28, of Belleville, each received thousands of dollars in Supplemental Social Security Income payments and Title II – Survivor Benefits that they were not entitled to.
The indictment against Russell alleges that between September of 2006 and March of 2013, she received more than $50,134 by falsely claiming and receiving Supplemental Social Security Income payments for a child that did not live with her and she did not support during the time frame alleged in the indictment.
The indictment against Adams alleges that between March of 2008 and August of 2012, she falsely claimed and received more than $9,000 in Title II – Survivor Benefits that were intended for the benefit of her child, when the child did not live with her and she did not support the child during the time frame alleged in the indictment.
The indictment against Johndrow alleges that between August of 2010 and August of 2012, she received $14,500 in Supplemental Social Security Payments from the Social Security Administration, when she falsely claimed to the government agency that she did not work during the time frame alleged.
U.S. Attorney Stephen R. Wigginton announced the indictments, which carry potential penalties of up to 10 years of imprisonment, fines of up to $250,000, and up to 3 years of supervised release to follow any period of incarceration.
The investigation was conducted by the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ranley R. Killian.
The women are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The case is ongoing and further details will be released as they become available.
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Key Facts
- State: Illinois
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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