Pennsylvania Woman Pleads Guilty to Government Theft, Making False Statements to SSA
From the U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Pennsylvania:
PITTSBURGH, PA- A resident of Armstrong County, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of theft of government money, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Tara Jo Frain, 33, of Apollo, PA, pleaded guilty yesterday before United States District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose to Count One of the four-count Indictment, which also charges her husband, Danny Ray Alexander at Counts Two and Four of the same crimes.
In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that between November 29, 2013 and December 30, 2016, Frain knowingly received Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits to which she knew she was not entitled in an amount of $25,164.00. In addition to the theft charge, Frain accepted responsibility for making false statements to the Social Security Administration (SSA) to obtain SSI benefits, which is charged and Count Three of the Indictment. Specifically, the Court was informed, that in May of 2012, Frain and Alexander were married but Frain did not inform the SSA of the change in her marital status and, in September of 2016, Frain falsely claimed on a SSA form that she was not married.
Judge Ambrose scheduled sentencing for August 5, 2019, at 10 a.m. The law provides for a total maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Frain remains on bond pending sentencing.
Assistant United States Attorneys Rebecca L. Silinski and Adam N. Hallowell are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Frain.<p align="left"> From the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Pennsylvania: </p>
PITTSBURGH, PA- A resident of Armstrong County, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of theft of government money, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Tara Jo Frain, 33, of Apollo, PA, pleaded guilty yesterday before United States District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose to Count One of the four-count Indictment, which also charges her husband, Danny Ray Alexander at Counts Two and Four of the same crimes.
In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that between November 29, 2013 and December 30, 2016, Frain knowingly received Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits to which she knew she was not entitled in an amount of $25,164.00. In addition to the theft charge, Frain accepted responsibility for making false statements to the Social Security Administration (SSA) to obtain SSI benefits, which is charged and Count Three of the Indictment. Specifically, the Court was informed, that in May of 2012, Frain and Alexander were married but Frain did not inform the SSA of the change in her marital status and, in September of 2016, Frain falsely claimed on a SSA form that she was not married.
Judge Ambrose scheduled sentencing for August 5, 2019, at 10 a.m. The law provides for a total maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Frain remains on bond pending sentencing.
Assistant United States Attorneys Rebecca L. Silinski and Adam N. Hallowell are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Frain.