Rumford Woman Sentenced to Six Months of Home Confinement for Social Security Fraud

Contact: Halsey B. Frank
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257

Portland, Maine:  United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Marie Angel Michaud, formerly Marie Angel Broad, 43, of Rumford, Maine, was sentenced in U.S. District Court by Judge Jon D. Levy to three years of probation with six months of home confinement for Social Security fraud.  She was also ordered to pay $19,978 in restitution. Michaud pleaded guilty on April 22, 2015.

According to court documents, in January 2002, Michaud was granted and began receiving Social Security Supplemental Security Income ("SSI") benefits.  SSI pays benefits to persons who are aged, blind or disabled and who have proven financial need.  Recipients of SSI are responsible for reporting material changes in their situation such as changes in their household composition and marital status.  In November of 2010, Broad married but did not report that change to the Social Security Administration ("SSA").  Thereafter, during periodic redeterminations for continued eligibility for benefits, Michaud did not disclose her marital status and falsely stated that she was not married. As a result of her concealment, Broad received benefits to which she was not entitled.
     
In pronouncing sentence, Judge Levy observed that Social Security fraud is a serious crime that is difficult to detect and that is costly for the public and for government. 
     
The case was investigated by the SSA’s Office of Inspector General.