Pierre Woman Charged With Theft, Misuse Of Benefits And False Statement

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Pierre, South Dakota, woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Theft of Government Funds, Misuse of Benefits by a Representative Payee, and False Statement.

Bobbie Jo Ziegler, a/k/a Bobbie Jo McGhee, age 41, was indicted by a federal grand jury on October 15, 2014.  She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on October 28, 2014, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.

The charges stem from an allegation that between November 2012 and March 2013, in Hughes County, Ziegler embezzled, stole, purloined or knowingly converted to her own use Title II funds from the Social Security Administration to which she was not entitled.  Ziegler is also alleged to have made materially false, fictitious, and fraudulent statements and representations in an application to become a benefit payee for the victim.

The charges are merely an accusation and Ziegler is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Office of the Inspector General for the Social Security Administration.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller is prosecuting the case.   

Ziegler was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not been set.