Former Pennsylvania Man Charged with Deceased Payee Fraud

From the U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Pennsylvania:

 

SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Steven M. Caravella, age 28, who formerly resided in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury for stealing social security benefits paid to his mother by the Social Security Administration. Caravella was indicted on April 12, 2016, but the case remained sealed until Caravella, a fugitive, was found and arrested in Youngstown, Ohio on July 18, 2017.

 

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment charges Caravella, with using a government-issued debit card to obtain his mother’s social security benefits for approximately one year after her death. Caravella allegedly obtained approximately $7,762 in benefits between August 2012 and July 2013, as a result of the theft. The government is also seeking forfeiture of the funds wrongfully obtained by Caravella.

 

The investigation was conducted by the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo is prosecuting the case.

 <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> From the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Pennsylvania: </p>

 

SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Steven M. Caravella, age 28, who formerly resided in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury for stealing social security benefits paid to his mother by the Social Security Administration. Caravella was indicted on April 12, 2016, but the case remained sealed until Caravella, a fugitive, was found and arrested in Youngstown, Ohio on July 18, 2017.

 

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment charges Caravella, with using a government-issued debit card to obtain his mother’s social security benefits for approximately one year after her death. Caravella allegedly obtained approximately $7,762 in benefits between August 2012 and July 2013, as a result of the theft. The government is also seeking forfeiture of the funds wrongfully obtained by Caravella.

 

The investigation was conducted by the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo is prosecuting the case.