New York Woman Indicted for $80,000 Social Security Fraud

From the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of New York:

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Tammy A. Grumme, age 41, of Glenmont, New York, was arraigned today on an indictment accusing her of stealing Social Security Survivor’s Insurance Benefits.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian and Edward J. Ryan, Special Agent-In-Charge of the Social Security Administration (SSA) Office of the Inspector General.

Grumme is charged with submitting false statements to the SSA from March 2011 through May 2013, claiming that she was the caregiver for her minor son, a surviving child, and that he resided with her.  In January 2011, an Albany County Court Judge awarded primary physical custody and sole decision-making authority to the child’s grandparents.  The indictment alleges that based on that court order, and the fact that the child did not reside with her, Grumme collected nearly $80,000 in benefits for her and her son that she was not entitled to receive.

The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Grumme faces up to 10 years of imprisonment, a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of up to 3 years, and a $250,000 fine, if convicted.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

Grumme was arraigned today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart. She was detained pending a trial scheduled for May 10, 2016 before U.S. District Judge Frederick J. Scullin, Jr.

This case is being investigated by the SSA Office of the Inspector General and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason W. White.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Tammy A. Grumme, age 41, of Glenmont, New York, was arraigned today on an indictment accusing her of stealing Social Security Survivor’s Insurance Benefits.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian and Edward J. Ryan, Special Agent-In-Charge of the Social Security Administration (SSA) Office of the Inspector General.

Grumme is charged with submitting false statements to the SSA from March 2011 through May 2013, claiming that she was the caregiver for her minor son, a surviving child, and that he resided with her.  In January 2011, an Albany County Court Judge awarded primary physical custody and sole decision-making authority to the child’s grandparents.  The indictment alleges that based on that court order, and the fact that the child did not reside with her, Grumme collected nearly $80,000 in benefits for her and her son that she was not entitled to receive.

The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Grumme faces up to 10 years of imprisonment, a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of up to 3 years, and a $250,000 fine, if convicted.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

Grumme was arraigned today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart. She was detained pending a trial scheduled for May 10, 2016 before U.S. District Judge Frederick J. Scullin, Jr.

This case is being investigated by the SSA Office of the Inspector General and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason W. White.