South Carolina Man Sentenced To Federal Prison For Stealing Deceased Wife’s Social Security Benefits

From the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Florida

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge William F. Jung has sentenced Albert Bayer (64, South Carolina, formerly of Hillsborough County, Florida) to one year and one day in federal prison for theft of government funds. As part of his sentence, the court also entered an order of forfeiture in the amount of $76,547, the proceeds of the offense. Bayer entered a guilty plea in March 2024.

According to court documents, Bayer’s wife, L.D., was receiving Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits. L.D. passed away on March 31, 2015, but her death was never reported to the Social Security Administration (SSA). Consequently, the SSA continued to make the benefit payments. From April 2015 through June 2023, Bayer accessed the funds meant for L.D. and used them to pay his own personal expenses. In total, Bayer knowingly and willfully stole approximately $76,547 in benefits to which he was not entitled.

This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General. It was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Huyler.