Slidell Woman Sentenced for Theft of Federal Government Funds

From the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Louisiana:

NEW ORLEANS – LINDA REED HILL (“HILL”), age 76, of Slidell, Louisiana, was sentenced on May 16, 2023 for Theft of Government Funds in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641, announced United States Attorney Duane A. Evans.

According to documents filed in federal court, beginning on or about May 1, 2004, and continuing until on or about February 28, 2021, HILL did knowingly embezzle, steal, purloin, and convert to her use, money belonging to the United States and a department and agency thereof, namely the Social Security Administration, to which she knew she was not entitled, when she withdrew funds from a joint JP Morgan Chase account registered both under her own name and Individual “A’s” name.

Prior to April 28, 2004, Individual “A” received SSA Retirement Survivor Insurance (“RSI”). After the Individual “A’s” death, from approximately May 2004 to February 2021, Individual “A” continued to receive monthly SSA disability benefits in an amount ranging from $1,310.00 - $1,518.00 per month, totaling $319,696.00. These monies were then deposited by SSA into a joint JP Morgan Chase Savings account, shared by HILL and Individual “A”. The monthly SSA funds were thereafter taken from the joint account, transferred to two different accounts listed under HILL’s name, and withdrawn by HILL.

United States District Judge Greg G. Guidry sentenced HILL to four (4) years’ probation, restitution to the Social Security Administration in the amount of $319,696, and HILL was ordered to pay a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office would also like to acknowledge the assistance of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General with this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit.