Florida Woman Indicted on Concealing Mother's Death, Social Security Fraud

Date: 
Friday, March 25, 2011
Management Issue: 
Strengthen the Integrity and Protection of the Social Security Number

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: WILLIAM DANIELS
PHONE: (813) 274-6388
http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/flm/pr 
FAX: (813) 274-6300

TWO LEE COUNTY RESIDENTS INDICTED ON SOCIAL SECURITY FRAUD

Fort Myers, Florida - United States Attorney Robert E. O'Neill announces the unsealing of two indictments, one charging Gail Christine Andrews (62, Fort Myers) with
theft of public monies and Social Security fraud, and the other charging John Patrick Rosso, a/k/a "Michael J. Calabrese," (age 61, Fort Myers) with theft of public monies,
Social Security Fraud, and using a fraudulent Social Security Number to obtain a Florida driver's license. If convicted on all counts, Andrews faces a maximum penalty of 15 years
in federal prison.

 
If convicted on all counts, Rosso faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. The indictments also notify the defendants that the United States intends
to forfeit any property which is alleged to be traceable to proceeds of the offenses. The Indictment against Andrews notifies the defendant that the United States is seeking a
money judgment in the amount of $52,308.70, representing alleged proceeds of the theft of public monies. The Indictment against Rosso notifies the defendant that the United
States is seeking a money judgment in the amount of $100,403.20, representing alleged proceeds of the Theft of public monies.

The indictment against Andrews alleges that she intentionally concealed her mother’s death in order to continue to receive Social Security Administration Retirement
Benefits payments and Survivor’s Benefits payments made by the Social Security Administration to her mother, and that she received approximately $73,715.70 in payments
to which she was not entitled.

 
The indictment against Rosso alleges that he concealed the fact that he was employed using an assumed name and Social Security account number,
and that he received approximately $406,534.60 in Social Security Administration Disability Insurance Benefits payments to which he was not entitled. The indictment against Rosso
also alleges that he falsely represented a fraudulent Social Security account number to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles for the purpose of obtaining a
driver’s license.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until,
proven guilty.

This cases were investigated by the Social Security Administration's Office of Inspector General. They will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey F.
Michelland.