Ten people in the Chicago area have been charged in separate federal cases with stealing more than $1.27 million by receiving fraudulent Social Security benefits.
Many of the charged cheated Social Security by using false identities, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s office. They applied for benefits under multiple names, or worked under one name and applied for benefits using another name.
Other defendants allegedly continued to receive benefits for a beneficiary who they knew was either dead and no longer entitled to receive payments.
The amount stolen from the federal government totals more than $1.27 million, according to the statement. All 10 defendants, nine from Chicago and one from Oak Lawn, face one felony count of theft of government funds:
— David Bailog, 45, charged with stealing $43,422;
— Sharia Bryant, 64, charged with stealing $65,241;
— Imogene Davis, 63, charged with stealing $91,566;
— Ronnie Davis, 67, charged with stealing $101,872;
— Sherri Marshall, 49, charged with stealing $43,189;
— Patricia McQueen, 58, charged with stealing $203,505;
— Betsy Minor, 63, of Oak Lawn, charged with stealing $369,188;
— Simonia Patterson, 39, charged with stealing $130,929;
— Lein Scott, 64, charged with stealing $126,919;
— Shirley Simmons, 50, charged with stealing $95,247.
Seven of the defendants pleaded not guilty at their arraignments and the other three are due to be arraigned this week, according to the statement. Each faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
