York Woman Charged With Social Security Fraud

     The United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania and the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General announced today that a criminal information was filed April 4, 2014 in U.S. District Court in Harrisburg charging 38 year-old Julie Smith of York with Social Security Fraud.

     According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, Smith allegedly concealed and failed to disclose income earned from May 2009 through June 2011 from employers and failed to disclose that full custody of her children was granted to the children’s father in August 2003.  This resulted in Smith allegedly receiving benefit payments of approximately $69,243 to which she knew she was not entitled.

     The government also filed a plea agreement in the case which is subject to approval by the Court.

     If convicted, Smith faces a term of imprisonment of up to five years and fines up to $250,000.

     This investigation was conducted by the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Brian G. McDonnell.

     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 five years imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. 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.