Yada Clark, Theft of Federal Funds, Louisiana 2021

State: Louisiana
Category: White Collar Crime
Source: <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-edla/pr/new-orleans-woman-charged-social-security-fraud" style="color:#cc0000;" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">DOJ Press Release ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Â Ã¢â‚¬â€

NEW ORLEANS, LA – A New Orleans woman has been charged with theft of federal funds, according to a bill of information filed on December 16, 2021.

Yada Clark, 62, of New Orleans, Louisiana, was charged with Theft of Federal Funds, a crime that carries a maximum sentence of up to 10 years imprisonment, restitution, a fine of not more than $250,000, supervised release of up to 3 years, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.

According to the bill of information, Clark was a co-owner of the bank account of E.C., a retired worker who applied for and began receiving Retirement Survivor Insurance Benefit program benefits in or around February 1997. The SSA sent the benefits to E.C. by direct deposit into his bank account.

Clark never advised the SSA of E.C.’s death on February 5, 2006, and received monthly SSA benefits totaling approximately $216,236 that she was not entitled to receive, which were deposited into E.C.’s account from February 2006 through August 2020. Clark used these funds for her living expenses.

The case was investigated by the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carter K. D. Guice, Jr. U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans reiterated that the bill of information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

Clark faces a maximum sentence of up to 10 years imprisonment, restitution, a fine of not more than $250,000, supervised release of up to 3 years, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100. The case highlights the importance of reporting any changes in status to the SSA to prevent fraud and ensure that benefits go to those who are eligible.

Yada Clark, 62, of New Orleans, Louisiana, is currently facing charges of Theft of Federal Funds. The case is ongoing, and the outcome is yet to be determined.

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