Mobile County Man Sentenced To 5 Years Probation For Theft Of Social Security (SSA) Widow's Benefits

The United States Attorney, Kenyen R. Brown, announces that Lovell Rhodes, a 77 year old resident of Mobile, Alabama was sentenced today. Mr. Rhodes pled guilty to theft of government funds on July 21, 2014. Mr. Rhodes mother died in 1997, and at that time, she was receiving SSA widow’s benefits. Her benefits continued to be deposited monthly into her bank account at Regions Bank for more than seven years after her death. Mr. Rhodes was sentenced today to a five year probationary term and order to repay the Social Security Administration $132,572.00, which was the total amount he stole over the seven year period.

Special Agents of the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General investigated the case and presented it to the U.S. Attorney=s Office for prosecution. The prosecutor assigned to the case is Assistant United States Attorney, Gina S. Vann.