Sonya Bannister Burford, Social Security Benefits Theft, Maryland 2020

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Upper Marlboro Woman Sentenced for Stealing $300,000 in Social Security Benefits

A 53-year-old woman from Upper Marlboro has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for stealing over $300,000 in Social Security benefits to which she was not entitled. Sonya Bannister Burford of Malboro, Maryland, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Peter J. Messitte to 18 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

According to her guilty plea, Burford’s husband, who was receiving SSA Disability Insurance benefits, died on August 30, 1996. Upon his death, Burford failed to disclose to SSA that he had died and SSA continued to make monthly benefits payments.

Between September 1996 and January 2020, Burford received and spent $322,938 in benefits paid to her husband after his death to which she was not entitled. As detailed in her plea agreement, SSA paid the disability payments for her husband through direct deposit to a joint account held in Burford’s and her husband’s name.

After her husband’s death, Burford accessed the funds primarily through cash withdrawals or through the purchase of gift cards in large amounts at grocery stores. She also used the funds to make retail purchases and to pay for living expenses and wrote checks to herself.

Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Jonathan F. Lenzner praised the SSA OIG and WMATA OIG for their work in the investigation. Mr. Lenzner thanked Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Davio, who prosecuted the case.

As part of her plea agreement, Burford is required to forfeit and pay restitution in the full amount of the loss, which the parties agree is $322,938. Burford must also pay restitution in the full amount of the loss, which is $322,938. The sentence was announced by Acting United States Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner and other officials.