A woman from St. Louis, Missouri, has admitted to misusing $55,000 of her deceased father’s Social Security benefits. Carmen Needy, aged 65, pleaded guilty on Monday to one count of theft of government money.
Needy confessed that following her father’s death on August 31, 2016, his Social Security retirement benefits continued to be deposited onto a debit card. From 2016 until May 2020, she accessed $55,381 in benefits through the card without entitlement.
Her sentencing is scheduled for January 30, 2025. The crime carries a potential penalty of up to ten years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or both. The final sentence will be determined by the court based on advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case was investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Klocke.
