Meadville Woman Charged In Social Security Fraud Scheme

ERIE, Pa. - A resident of Meadville, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Erie on charges of theft of government property and social security fraud, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The two-count indictment named Jennifer Renee Dzera, 35, of Meadville, Pennsylvania as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment presented to the court, from August 2011 to July 2014, Dzera, after applying to receive Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) Benefits on her son’s behalf, knowingly and willfully converted those benefits to her own use. By doing so, Dzera received payments, valuing approximately $22,250, to which she knew she was not entitled.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 15 years in prison, a fine of $500,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold 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.