Maine Woman Sentenced to 10 Months in Prison for Social Security Fraud

A St. Agatha woman was sentenced Thursday in U.S. District Court to 10 months in federal prison for failing to tell the Social Security Administration that she and her ex-husband had reconciled and were living together.

In addition to prison time, U.S. District Judge John Woodcock sentenced Sandra Gendreau, 55, to a year of supervised release after she completes her prison term. He also ordered her to pay nearly $91,000 in restitution.

Woodcock ordered that Gendreau begin serving her sentence immediately.

Gendreau waived indictment and pleaded guilty in November to concealment of information material to eligibility for Social Security benefits. By pleading guilty, she admitted that she illegally received $6,500 a year for 14 years in disability benefits.

She faced up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the prevailing federal sentencing guidelines, her recommended sentence was between 10 and 16 months, according to court documents.

Source: http://bangordailynews.com/2012/02/23/news/bangor/st-agatha-woman-senten...