Westfield Resident Charged With Social Security Benefits Fraud

     The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, announced today that charges have been filed against Rose M. Hager of Westfield, Pennsylvania. 

     According to United States Attorney Peter J. Smith, Hager, age 63, is charged in a one-count Information with conversion of government funds by receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits from the Social Security Administration in March 2011 to which she was not entitled.

     The investigation was conducted by the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations.  Assistant United States Attorney Wayne P. Samuelson is assigned to prosecute the case.

     Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

     A sentence following a finding of guilty is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

     In this case, the maximum penalty under the federal statute is 1 year imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine of over $300,000 as well as significant tax penalties. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.