Bedford Heights Woman Charged With Stealing More Than $210,000 In Social Security Payments

A Bedford Heights woman was charged with stealing and converting to her own use approximately $210,510 in Social Security payments made to her father after his death, said  Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

Gloria F. Vaughn, 71, was charged in a criminal information with one count of theft of government property.

Vaughn’s father received monthly Social Security Administration retirement benefits, which were deposited electronically into a KeyBank savings account. Upon Vaughn’s father’s death in September 1983, Vaughn continued to receive the benefits, which she knew were intended for her father and should have ceased upon his death, according to the indictment.

She received approximately $210,510 in Social Security payments between October 1983 and September 2012, according to the indictment.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation.  In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Bell, following investigation by agents of the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.