Philadelphia Woman Admits To Concealing Child's Death In Order To Receive Government Benefits

PHILADELPHIA - Nakia Calicat, 38, of Philadelphia, PA, pleaded guilty today to concealing the death of her child in order to continue receiving Supplemental Security Income payments for her deceased daughter.  Calicat pleaded guilty to 10 counts of wire fraud, one count of theft of government money, two counts of false statements, and one count of Social Security representative payee fraud.  U.S. District Court Judge Petrese B. Tucker scheduled a sentencing hearing for July 30, 2015.

Calicat gave birth to a child in December 2006 and filed for SSI benefits in March 2007.  The child died in July of 2010 but the Social Security Administration (“SSA”) did not learn of the death until August of 2013.  SSA sent notice to Calicat that the benefits for her child would be terminated.  In October 2013, Calicat told an SSA employee that her child was still alive.  In August 2014, Calicat spoke to a Special Agent with the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General and, again, lied about her daughter’s death.  Between July 2010 and August 2013, Calicat illegally received Social Security benefits on behalf of her deceased child defrauding the government of approximately $26,224.        

Calicat faces a possible advisory sentencing guideline range of at least six to 12 months in prison, up to three years of supervised release, restitution of $26,224 and a $1,400 special assessment.

The case was investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Amanda R. Reinitz.