Hastings Woman Sentenced For Making False Representations

United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced  that Blanca Gama, a/k/a Blanca Chumasero-Gomez, age 41, of Hastings, Nebraska, was sentenced for her conviction for making false representations with respect to the requirements of Social Security.  Senior United States District Court Judge Lyle E. Strom sentenced Gama to two years of probation and ordered her to perform 100 hours of community service.  Stephanie Hagemeier. Paul Younes, and Kearney Hospitality, Inc. were previously sentenced for their roles in hiring Gama.

The investigation revealed that Blanca Gama, a citizen of Mexico who was not lawfully in the United States, was employed as the supervisor of housekeeping at the Holiday Inn Express in Hastings where Hagemeier is employed as the manager.  In 2014, Hagemeier learned Gama was under investigation by the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General.  Gama quit her job at the Holiday Inn Express, but later met with Younes who arranged for her to be employed in the housekeeping department at the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Kearney under the name Elizabeth Gomez.  Hagemeier was aware that Gama had been hired under those circumstances.

At Gama’s request, Younes later authorized Gama’s re-hire at the Holiday Inn Express in Hastings.  In order to support her re-hire, Gama submitted paperwork using a false name and Social Security Number even though she continued to be referred to as Blanca Gama at that location.

This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, and the Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement.