Baldwin Twp. Woman Charged with Stealing Social Security Benefits

PITTSBURGH - A Pittsburgh resident has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of theft of government money, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The one-count indictment returned yesterday named Rosemary Thomas, 64, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment, from January 2001 to February 2014, Thomas converted to her own use $98,949 in Social Security Title II, Old Age, Survivor’s Disability Insurance benefits of another individual - benefits she knew she was not entitled to use.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Mary McKeen Houghton is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.