Pittsburgh Woman Sentenced To Probation For Defrauding Social Security

PITTSBURGH - A Pittsburgh resident has been sentenced in federal court to two years of probation and ordered to pay $78,719.00 in restitution on her conviction of theft of government property, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer imposed the sentence on Laverne Russell, 74.

According to information presented to the court, Russell converted to her own use over $78,000 in Social Security Income Benefits from the Social Security Administration.

Assistant United States Attorney Robert S. Cessar prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Russell.