Greensburg Man Took $172K In Deceased Aunt’s Social Security Benefit Payments

PITTSBURGH – A Westmoreland County resident pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of theft of government money, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Kelly McGuire, 54, of Greensburg, Pa., pleaded guilty to one count before Senior United States District Court Judge Maurice B. Cohill.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from Nov. 3, 1993 to Oct. 3, 2011, McGuire converted to his own use $172,375 in Social Security Title II, Old Age, Survivor’s Disability Insurance benefit payments of his aunt, Lucille McGuire, who died on Oct. 2, 1993, benefits he knew he was not entitled to receive.

Judge Cohill scheduled sentencing for Aug. 6, 2014 at 2 p.m. 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.

Pending sentence, the court released McGuire on bond.

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 that lead to the prosecution of McGuire.