Cleveland woman charged with Social Security theft

A one-count Information was filed charging Beverly Harris, 75, of Cleveland, Ohio, with theft of government funds, said Steven M. Dettelbach, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

The information alleges that from on or about March 1, 2009, through December 1, 2013, Beverly Harris stole Social Security survivor benefits in the amount of $50,263 from the United States Social Security Administration, to which she was not entitled.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after a review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation.  In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carmen E. Brown and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa Sanniti, following an investigation by agents of the Office of Inspector General of the United States Social Security Administration.

An information is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.