Dorchester Woman Pleads Guilty To Theft Of Government Benefits

BOSTON - A Dorchester woman pleaded guilty today to stealing almost $350,000 in government benefits to which she was not entitled.

Mary Murphy, 62, pleaded guilty to theft of public money.  In April 2014, Murphy was charged in a felony information.  Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 22, 2014.

Murphy’s mother died in 1977, but her monthly Social Security payments and Civil Service Retirement System annuity payments continued to be directly deposited into a joint bank account in her name and Murphy’s name.  From 1977 to 2013, Murphy continued to receive her deceased mother’s benefits, including $206,679 in Social Security benefits and $143,098 in Civil Service Retirement System annuity payments.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Scott Antolik, Special Agent in Charge of the Office of Inspector General, Social Security Administration, Office of Investigations – Boston Field Division; and Scott Rezendes, Special Agent in Charge of the Office of Inspector General, Office of Personnel Management, Field Operations made the announcement today.  The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Landry of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit.