Pittsburgh Resident Indicted on a Charge Relating to Social Security Fraud

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

PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge relating to Social Security Fraud, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

The one-count Indictment named Susan Mentser, age 70, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant.

According to the Indictment, from in and around June 2018, through in and around March 2020, Mentser stole and converted approximately $21,483.00 in Supplemental Security Income benefits, which had been deposited into her deceased mother’s bank account, to which Mentser knew she was not entitled.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than ten (10) years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.