Floridian Sentenced for Stealing Her Deceased Grandmother’s Social Security Benefits

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

PITTSBURGH – A resident of Hudson, Florida, has been sentenced in federal court to 60 days’ imprisonment and three years’ supervised release on her conviction of theft of government property, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.

United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak imposed the sentence on Lori Shaffer, age 53, of Hudson, Florida.

According to information presented to the court, from July 2013 through October 2017, Shaffer stole approximately $43,672 in Survivor’s Insurance Benefits from the United States Social Security Administration, which were paid to her deceased grandmother and to which she knew she was not entitled.

Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Hornak stated that Shaffer had committed a serious theft of taxpayers’ contributions to the Social Security system and that the evidence revealed that she had taken premeditated steps to ensure her continued access to Social Security funds to which she was not entitled. In addition to the imposed terms of imprisonment and supervised release, the court ordered Shaffer to pay restitution to the Social Security Administration in the amount of $43,672.

Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn J. Bloch prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Chung commended the Social Security Administration (SSA), Office of Inspector General for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Shaffer.