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Press Release

Woman Pleads Guilty To Theft Of Government Funds

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Georgia

ATLANTA - Mary Bridges Clark has pleaded guilty in federal district court to theft of government funds.
 
 “Theft of Social Security funds is, at its core, stealing from the elderly, the disabled, and those with the greatest need,” United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates.  “This defendant stole over $200,000 in Social Security benefits that were intended for her mother for nearly two decades after her mother passed away, even though she knew she was not entitled to them.” 

According to United States Attorney Yates, the charges and other information presented in court:  Clark’s mother received monthly Social Security benefits which were deposited into a joint bank account Clark and her mother shared.  Clark’s mother died in April 1993.  After her mother’s death, Clark continued to receive her mother’s monthly benefits into the joint account.  In total, the United States Treasury, acting on behalf of the Social Security Administration, deposited $219,133.00 into the joint account after her mother’s death.  Clark knew this money was intended for her mother, yet she kept the money and used it for her own personal expenses, and attempted to conceal her mother’s death from the Social Security Administration.

Clark, 64, of Loganville, Ga., was charged in a Criminal Information on July 17, 2013, on one count of theft of government funds and pleaded guilty to that count.  She could receive a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.  In determining the actual sentence, the Court will consider the United States Sentencing Guidelines, which are not binding but provide appropriate sentencing ranges for most offenders. 

Sentencing is scheduled for October 21, 2013, at 3 p.m. before United States District Judge Carnes.

This case is being investigated by Special Agents of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General.

Assistant United States Attorney Glenn D. Baker and Special Assistant United States Attorney Diane C. Schulman are prosecuting the case.

For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016.  The Internet address for the HomePage for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is www.justice.gov/usao/gan.

Updated April 8, 2015