Stanislaus County Woman Sentenced for Using Her Sister’s Social Security Number to Hide Employment Income from the Social Security Administration

FRESNO, Calif. — Linda Expose, 56, of Salida, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd to two years in prison for aggravated identity theft, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

 

According to court documents, over the course of two decades Expose unlawfully received over $170,000 in Social Security benefit payments. Expose received those benefits under her own Social Security number while she also earned employment income under her sister’s Social Security number. Her scheme concealed her wages from the Social Security Administration. That unreported income would have rendered her ineligible for a significant portion of the Social Security benefits that she received. After years of collecting both sources of income, Expose then tried to file for Social Security benefits under her sister’s Social Security number. Expose pleaded guilty on Jan. 22, 2020.

 

“This sentence sends a clear message that individuals who attempt to cheat federally funded programs risk significant consequences,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Talbert. “These programs provide vital support to deserving members of our society, and our office will continue to protect them.”

 

“We will continue to pursue those who misuse the Social Security number of others. This individual abused Social Security disability benefits and stole Supplemental Security Income — money that is intended as a critical safety net for those in need,” said Gail S. Ennis, Inspector General for the Social Security Administration. “I thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their efforts in prosecuting this case and holding this individual accountable.”

 

This case was the product of an investigation by the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin J. Gilio and Henry Carbajal prosecuted the case.