Texas Woman Sentenced to 9 Months in Prison for Social Security Fraud

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

In Waco today, 60-year-old former McLennan County Justice of the Peace Erma Jean Laster Boone was sentenced to 9 months in federal prison in connection with a scheme to steal Social Security Income benefits announced United States Attorney Robert Pitman.

In addition to the prison term, United States District Judge Walter S. Smith, Jr. ordered that Boone pay a $5,000 fine and be placed on supervised release for a period of three years after completing her prison term.

On September 11, 2014, Boone pleaded guilty to theft of Government property. According to court records, Robert Martin Davis died on May 27, 2010, and the defendant was the reporting party on Davis’ death certificate. From Davis’ death until October 2013, the Social Security Administration continued to deposit Social Security benefits, which totaled approximately $63,000, into Davis’ bank account. The defendant had access to Davis’ bank account. Boone admitted to authorities that she spent over $16,000 from Davis’ account on “fixing stuff up around the house.” In March 2014, Boone paid back to the Social Security Administration the money she had fraudulently embezzled and used.

This investigation was conducted by the United States Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Greg Gloff prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.

In Waco today, 60-year-old former McLennan County Justice of the Peace Erma Jean Laster Boone was sentenced to 9 months in federal prison in connection with a scheme to steal Social Security Income benefits announced United States Attorney Robert Pitman.

In addition to the prison term, United States District Judge Walter S. Smith, Jr. ordered that Boone pay a $5,000 fine and be placed on supervised release for a period of three years after completing her prison term.

On September 11, 2014, Boone pleaded guilty to theft of Government property. According to court records, Robert Martin Davis died on May 27, 2010, and the defendant was the reporting party on Davis’ death certificate. From Davis’ death until October 2013, the Social Security Administration continued to deposit Social Security benefits, which totaled approximately $63,000, into Davis’ bank account. The defendant had access to Davis’ bank account. Boone admitted to authorities that she spent over $16,000 from Davis’ account on “fixing stuff up around the house.” In March 2014, Boone paid back to the Social Security Administration the money she had fraudulently embezzled and used.

This investigation was conducted by the United States Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Greg Gloff prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.