Louisiana Woman Charged with Deceased Payee Fraud
From the U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Louisiana:
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that MYRNA SHILOH, age 56, of New Orleans, was charged today in a two count Indictment with theft of public money and aggravated identity theft.
According to the court documents, SHILOH lived with Individual “A”. Individual “A” was receiving Social Security benefits until she died on May 16, 1998. After she passed away, checks continued to be sent from the Social Security Administration to Individual “A’s” address in New Orleans. SHILOH cashed the checks from February 3, 1999 to March 3, 2015 in the amount of $187,960.
SHILOH forged the name of Individual “A” on the checks. Bank records confirm the deposit of the forged checks into SHILOH’s account. SHILOH changed her address after Hurricane Katrina in order to keep getting the checks.
If convicted on Count 1, SHILOH faces a possible maximum sentence of ten years imprisonment, to be followed by up to three years of supervised release, and/or a fine of $250,000. If convicted on Count 2, SHILOH faces a possible consecutive sentence of two years imprisonment.
U.S. Polite reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the United States Secret Service, Office of Inspector General in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Carter K. D. Guice, Jr. of the Fraud Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
From the U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Louisiana:
U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that MYRNA SHILOH, age 56, of New Orleans, was charged today in a two count Indictment with theft of public money and aggravated identity theft.
According to the court documents, SHILOH lived with Individual “A”. Individual “A” was receiving Social Security benefits until she died on May 16, 1998. After she passed away, checks continued to be sent from the Social Security Administration to Individual “A’s” address in New Orleans. SHILOH cashed the checks from February 3, 1999 to March 3, 2015 in the amount of $187,960.
SHILOH forged the name of Individual “A” on the checks. Bank records confirm the deposit of the forged checks into SHILOH’s account. SHILOH changed her address after Hurricane Katrina in order to keep getting the checks.
If convicted on Count 1, SHILOH faces a possible maximum sentence of ten years imprisonment, to be followed by up to three years of supervised release, and/or a fine of $250,000. If convicted on Count 2, SHILOH faces a possible consecutive sentence of two years imprisonment.
U.S. Polite reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the United States Secret Service, Office of Inspector General in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Carter K. D. Guice, Jr. of the Fraud Unit is in charge of the prosecution.