Pembroke Woman Sentenced to Two Years Probation for Making False Statements to Obtain Social Security Benefits

Contact: Andrew McCormack
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373
                                                                                               
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Rosemary Peterson, 29, of Pembroke, Maine, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. to two years of probation for making false statements to obtain Social Security Disability Insurance ("SSDI") benefits.  She was also ordered to pay $11,874 in restitution.  SSDI benefits are paid by the Social Security Administration ("SSA") to people with disabilities.  Peterson pleaded guilty on May 8, 2015.

According to court records, from April 2011 until November 2012, the defendant was designated as the representative payee for her boyfriend’s SSDI benefits.  During this period of time, her boyfriend received over $10,000 in SSDI benefits.  In November 2011, the defendant's boyfriend was required to undergo a Continuing Disability Review to determine if he was still disabled.  During this review, the defendant claimed that her boyfriend did not work outside the house and required someone to clean, bathe, dress and cook for him.  In fact, the defendant had lived with her boyfriend for several years and was well aware that he did not have disabilities that required her to clean, bathe, dress and cook for him.  She was also aware that her boyfriend did a significant amount of work outside the house including working as a scrap metal dealer, carpenter and woodcutter.

The investigation was conducted by the SSA’s Office of the Inspector General.