Las Vegas Woman Sentenced To Prison For Stealing Social Security Benefits

From the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Nevada:

A Las Vegas woman was sentenced today to one year and one day in prison for using her late husband’s identity to steal over $40,000 in Social Security benefits while on supervised release for a prior crime.

Florence Faamaligi Levao (71) pleaded guilty in July 2021, to one count of theft of government funds. In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Judge Andrew P. Gordon sentenced Faamaligi Levao to three years of supervised release. Faamaligi Levao was also ordered to pay restitution.

According to court documents, from October 30, 2014 to March 6, 2018, Faamaligi Levao stole approximately $40,625 of her late husband’s Social Security benefits for her personal use. During a substantial portion of this timeframe, she was on supervised release following her previous conviction for stealing Social Security benefits in her late father’s name.

Acting U.S. Attorney Christopher Chiou for the District of Nevada and Inspector General Gail S. Ennis for the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Oliva prosecuted the case.

If you suspect someone of committing fraud, waste, or abuse concerning Social Security Administration programs, please make a report to the Office of Inspector General at https://secure.ssa.gov/pfrf/home.