Skip to main content
Press Release

Verona Woman Charged With Theft Of Government Money

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Pennsylvania

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Allegheny County has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of theft of government money, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The one-count indictment named Deborah E. Matthews, 69, of Verona, Pa., as the sole defendant.

According to indictment, from December 2004 to September 2012, Matthews converted to her own use $57,621.40 in Social Security Title XVI, Supplemental Security Income benefits of another individual, benefits she knew she was not entitled to receive.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Mary McKeen Houghton is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Updated July 14, 2015