Tina Marie Jensen, Theft of Government Funds, South Dakota 2021

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Tina Marie Jensen Indicted for Theft of Government Funds in Yankton, South Dakota

Yankton, South Dakota – A brazen scheme to embezzle government funds has landed a Yankton woman in hot water as she faces federal charges for Theft of Government Funds and Concealment of Information from the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program.

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that Tina Marie Jensen, age 47, was indicted by a federal grand jury on September 9, 2021, for allegedly stealing government funds from the SSI program.

Jensen, a resident of Yankton, South Dakota, is accused of embezzling money from federal departments or agencies between September 9, 2016, and July 31, 2019. The charges allege that Jensen willfully and knowingly purloined money from federal departments or agencies, including Title XVI program benefits payments made to her child, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits payments, and Medicaid coverage.

The Indictment also alleges that Jensen knowingly failed to disclose a change in her household resources in October 2017, in order to continue receiving and spending her child’s SSI benefits.

Jensen appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on September 22, 2021, and pled not guilty to the Indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and up to $200 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

Jensen was released on bond pending trial, which has been set for November 30, 2021. The investigation is being conducted by the Social Security Administration Cooperative Disability Investigation Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Hoffman is prosecuting the case.

The charges are merely accusations, and Jensen is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of accountability in the management of government funds.

In related news, the Social Security Administration has emphasized the need for representative payees to accurately report changes in household resources and to use funds responsibly.

Mandatory Facts: Defendant/Tina Marie Jensen, Exact Criminal Charges/Theft of Government Funds and Concealment of Information from SSI Program, City and State/Yankton, South Dakota, Date/September 9, 2021, Sentence/Released on bond pending trial.