An Indiana woman was one of five people indicted by a federal grand jury on charges related to social security fraud.
According to a statement from U.S. Attorney Scott Brady, a four count indictment charged 61-year-old Brenda Castro of Indiana with social security fraud, theft of government property, and false statements to retain Social Security income. The indictment says that between 2009 and 2017, Castro repeatedly told the SSA that she did not live with her husband when she actually did. She told the lie so she could continue to receive about $41,292 in Social Security benefits.
She was indicted along with others from Washington and Allegheny counties in separate social security fraud cases. In the news release, Brady said that those who steal from Social Security “are in effect stealing from the most vulnerable of our fellow citizens, who have worked hard and played by the rules for their entire lives.”
An indictment is an accusation. If Castro is found guilty, she could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. Her sentence depends on the seriousness of the offense and if there is any prior criminal history.
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