Spencer Woman Sentenced for Bank Fraud

BOSTON – A Spencer woman was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Worcester for fraudulently obtaining Social Security benefits.

Gina Llerena-Donohue, 62, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman to time served (approximately one day in prison) and three years of supervised release. Llerena-Donohue was also ordered to pay restitution of $45,154. In April 2025, Llerena-Donohue pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud.

From February 2006 through May 2021, Llerena-Donohue, fraudulently obtained approximately $41,954 in Social Security benefits and $3,200 in COVID economic impact payments. Llerena-Donohue held a power of attorney (POA) for a Social Security beneficiary that died in January 2006. She did not report the beneficiary’s death to either the Social Security Administration or the bank where the benefits were deposited. Instead, Llerena-Donohue accessed the improperly paid benefits through several counter cash withdrawals. Further, she submitted four false affidavits to the bank in 2018 and 2019 stating that the POA was still in effect because it had not been terminated by the death of the beneficiary.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Amy Connelly, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division made the announcement. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Nagelberg of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.