Louisiana Woman Indicted for the Alleged Theft of Social Security Funds Totaling More Than $44k

New Orleans, Louisiana – A Louisiana woman has been indicted for the alleged theft of Social Security funds totaling more than $44k.

Monday, March 13, 2023, U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that Melissa King ("King"), age 53, of Hammond, Louisiana, was indicted on March 10, 2023, for Theft of Government Funds, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641.

According to the indictment, King collected about $44,696.00 in Social Security Administration monies to which she was not entitled beginning in or around December 2016 and continuing until in or around March 2020.

If convicted, King faces up to ten years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and a mandatory $100 special assessment charge.

The indictment, according to US Attorney Evans, is only a charge, and the defendant's guilt must be established beyond a reasonable doubt.

The efforts of the Social Security Administration's Office of the Inspector General was lauded by US Attorney Evans. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Maria Carboni of the Financial Crimes Unit.