Texas Woman Sentenced to 27 Months in Prison for $125,000 Deceased Payee Fraud

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

DALLAS — A Keller, Texas, woman who continued to collect a family member’s Social Security retirement insurance benefits even after that family member died, was sentenced this afternoon, announced John Parker, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas.

Jeani Mulligan, 43, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jane J. Boyle to serve 27 months in federal prison. Mulligan, who pleaded guilty in September 2014 to one count of theft of government funds, must also pay a total of $124,825 in restitution. At the conclusion of the hearing, Judge Boyle remanded Mulligan into federal custody.

According to documents filed in the case, Mulligan admitted that she received approximately $124,825 in Social Security benefits to which she was not entitled. Specifically, from approximately December 30, 2000, to February 2013, Mulligan received Title II Retirement Insurance benefits paid to her mother-in-law, to which she knew she was not entitled. Mulligan continued to receive these funds after her mother-in-law died on December 30, 2000.

The case was investigated by the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Dana prosecuted.From the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Texas:

DALLAS — A Keller, Texas, woman who continued to collect a family member’s Social Security retirement insurance benefits even after that family member died, was sentenced this afternoon, announced John Parker, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas.

Jeani Mulligan, 43, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jane J. Boyle to serve 27 months in federal prison. Mulligan, who pleaded guilty in September 2014 to one count of theft of government funds, must also pay a total of $124,825 in restitution. At the conclusion of the hearing, Judge Boyle remanded Mulligan into federal custody.

According to documents filed in the case, Mulligan admitted that she received approximately $124,825 in Social Security benefits to which she was not entitled. Specifically, from approximately December 30, 2000, to February 2013, Mulligan received Title II Retirement Insurance benefits paid to her mother-in-law, to which she knew she was not entitled. Mulligan continued to receive these funds after her mother-in-law died on December 30, 2000.

The case was investigated by the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Dana prosecuted.