Share This:

Louisiana Woman Pleads Guilty to Theft of Government Funds in Connection with Receiving Benefits for a Deceased Person

New Orleans, Louisiana – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that Linda Reed Hill (“Hill”), age 75, of Slidell, Louisiana, pled guilty on September 20, 2022, to Theft of Government Funds in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641.

Beginning on or about May 1, 2004, and continuing until on or about February 28, 2021, Hill knowingly embezzled, stole, purloined, and converted to her use money belonging to the United States and a department and agency thereof, namely the Social Security Administration, to which she was not entitled, when she withdrew funds from a joint JP Morgan Chase account under her own and Individual “A’s” names.

Individual “A” received SSA Retirement Survivor Insurance disability benefits (“RSI”) prior to April 28, 2004. From approximately May 2004 to February 2021, following Individual “A’s” death, Individual “A” continued to receive monthly SSA disability benefits ranging from $1,310.00 to $1,518.00 per month, totaling $319,696.00, which was deposited by SSA into a joint JP Morgan Chase Savings account shared by Hill and Individual “A.” The monthly SSA money was subsequently transferred from the joint account to two separate accounts named under Hill’s name and withdrawn by Hill.

Hill faces up to ten (10) years in prison, three (3) years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.

“Social Security benefits fraud is a criminal offense, which DOJ and my office takes very seriously,” said U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. “For several years, Ms. Hill fraudulently received disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) by claiming monies not designated for her. This plea illustrates that our office will continue to collaborate with SSA Office of the Inspector General and other investigative agencies to identify those who commit SSA fraud for their personal gain.”

”For nearly two decades, Ms. Hill intentionally stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from SSA,” said Gail S. Ennis, Inspector General for the Social Security Administration. “We will continue to hold those accountable who defraud Social Security programs.”

The case is slated for sentencing on January 10, 2023, before United States District Judge Greg G. Guidry.

The United States Attorney’s Office would also like to thank the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General for its help in this matter. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit.

Follow this link to report a typo or other issue.