SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WBNG) — The United States Department of Justice announced that a Binghamton woman was sentenced to 18 months in prison for stealing a child’s social security benefits.
The Department of Justice, or DOJ, said Loretta Washington, 60, of Binghamton, was sentenced to 18 months in New York State Prison for social security fraud.
In 2018, according to officials, the Broome County Department of Social Services removed a four-year-old child from Washington’s custody after the child was found wandering alone on a road at night.
Officials stated From Oct. 2018 to Nov. 2021, Washington fraudulently collected more than $25,000 in Social Security benefits. She did not inform the Social Security Administration about this custody change and provided false information.
The DOJ stated Washington admitted in her guilty plea that she had applied for and was receiving social security benefits for a minor child, serving as the child’s representative payee.
In addition to Washington’s 18-month sentence, she must serve three years of probation following her release.
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