Maine Woman Pleads Guilty to Social Security Disability Fraud

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

United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Rosemary Peterson, 29, of Pembroke, Maine, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Bangor to making false statements to obtain Social Security Disability Insurance (“SSDI”) benefits. SSDI benefits are paid by the Social Security Administration to people with disabilities.

According to court records, from April 2011 until November 2012, the defendant was designated as the representative payee for her boyfriend’s SSDI benefits. During this period of time, her boyfriend received over $17,000 in SSDI benefits. In November 2011, the defendant’s boyfriend was required to undergo a Continuing Disability Review to determine if he was still disabled. During this review, the defendant claimed that her boyfriend did not work outside the house and required someone to clean, bathe, dress and cook for him. In fact, the defendant had lived with her boyfriend for several years and was well aware that he did not have disabilities that required her to clean, bathe, dress and cook for him. She was also aware that her boyfriend did a significant amount of work outside the house including working as a scrap metal dealer, carpenter and woodcutter.

The defendant faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. She will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.

The investigation was conducted by the SSA’s Office of the Inspector General.

United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Rosemary Peterson, 29, of Pembroke, Maine, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Bangor to making false statements to obtain Social Security Disability Insurance (“SSDI”) benefits. SSDI benefits are paid by the Social Security Administration to people with disabilities.

According to court records, from April 2011 until November 2012, the defendant was designated as the representative payee for her boyfriend’s SSDI benefits. During this period of time, her boyfriend received over $17,000 in SSDI benefits. In November 2011, the defendant’s boyfriend was required to undergo a Continuing Disability Review to determine if he was still disabled. During this review, the defendant claimed that her boyfriend did not work outside the house and required someone to clean, bathe, dress and cook for him. In fact, the defendant had lived with her boyfriend for several years and was well aware that he did not have disabilities that required her to clean, bathe, dress and cook for him. She was also aware that her boyfriend did a significant amount of work outside the house including working as a scrap metal dealer, carpenter and woodcutter.

The defendant faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. She will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.

The investigation was conducted by the SSA’s Office of the Inspector General.