FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2009
WWW.USDOJ.GOV/USAO/MA
CONTACT: CHRISTINA DiIORIO-STERLING
PHONE: (617)748-3356
E-MAIL: USAMA.MEDIA@USDOJ.GOV
WORCESTER WOMAN CHARGED WITH
FEDERAL HOUSING AND SOCIAL SECURITY FRAUD
WORCESTER, MA - A Worcester, Massachusetts woman was charged today in federal court with making false statements and concealing her income in connection with her application for and receipt of federal housing and Social Security benefits.
Acting United States Attorney Michael K. Loucks, Diane Hill-DeChellis, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Housing and Urban Development - Office of Inspector General and Jeff Paula, Special Agent in Charge of the Office of Inspector General, Social Security Administration, Office of Investigations - Boston Field Division, announced today that INMACULADA RODRIGUEZ-ORTIZ, age 35, of Worcester, MA, was charged in a Indictment with four false statements, one false statement, one count of concealment of facts to fraudulently obtain Social Security benefits and two counts of theft of government funds.
The Indictment alleges that in or about 1996 RODRIGUEZ-ORTIZ fraudulently obtained a second Social Security Number after having obtained one a year earlier. It is further alleged that RODRIGUEZ-ORTIZ then used the second Social Security Number on her application and other documentation submitted to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) for housing benefits. According to the Indictment, in using the second Social Security Number, the defendant was able to conceal from HUD income she earned from 2002 through 2007 under her first Social Security Number. It is alleged that RODRIGUEZ-ORTIZ received approximately $50,000 worth of housing benefits which she would not have received had HUD known her true income. In addition, RODRIGUEZ-ORTIZ allegedly applied for and received Supplemental Security Income benefits from the Social Security Administration on behalf of her minor son, by falsely stating her income on the application and continuing to conceal her income from the SSA using the second Social Security Number.
If convicted on these charges, RODRIGUEZ-ORTIZ faces up to five years imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine on each count and restitution.
The case was investigated by the Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General and the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Anthony E. Fuller of Loucks’ Public Corruption and Special Prosecutions Unit.
The details contained in the Indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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