Fitchburg Woman Sentenced for Social Security, MassHealth and Food Stamp Fraud | Office of the Inspector General, SSA Skip to Main Content Office of the Inspector General, SSA Search toggle Menu toggle Search About the OIGOffices Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2016 - 2020 OIG Leadership OIG Timeline Performance Reports Careers About Fraud ReportingSubmit a Report What Is Fraud, Waste, or Abuse? What Do We Investigate? Reporting Other Issues What Info Must I Provide? May I Remain Anonymous? What Will OIG Do With What I Report? Whistleblower Rights and Protection Other Ways to Report Fraud Scam Awareness Audits and InvestigationsAudit Reports Mandatory Reviews Top SSA Management Challenges Retired Management Challenges Audit Work Plans Investigations Cooperative Disability Investigations NewsroomNews Releases Fact Sheets Congressional Testimony Semiannual Reports OIG In the News SSA Anti-Fraud Facts You are hereHome › Audits and Investigations › Investigations › Fitchburg Woman Sentenced for Social Security, MassHealth and Food Stamp Fraud Fitchburg Woman Sentenced for Social Security, MassHealth and Food Stamp Fraud Date: Monday, April 5, 2021 Office Affiliation: The Office of InvestigationsFrom the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Massachusetts: BOSTON – A Fitchburg woman was sentenced today in federal court in Worcester for fraudulently receiving Social Security disability benefits, MassHealth and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Rhonda Bernal, 62, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to one month of home confinement and two years of probation. Bernal also was ordered to make restitution to the Social Security Administration, MassHealth, and the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance. In December 2020, Bernal pleaded to three counts of theft of public funds and two counts of making false statements. Over a period of approximately eight years, Bernal stole $71,462 in Social Security benefits, $6,444 in MassHealth benefits and $13,505 in SNAP benefits (previously known as Food Stamps). In February 2015, Bernal falsely informed the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance that she was the only person in her household when, in fact, she was living with her husband. In addition, Bernal falsely told Social Security in April 2016 that she and a relative, who was not her husband, were the only members of her household. Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Tonya Perkins, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division; Phillip M. Coyne, Special Agent in Charge of the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s Boston Regional Office; and Suzanne M. Bump, State Auditor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts made the announcement today. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Burzycki of Mendell’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case. Audits and Investigations Audit Reports Mandatory Reviews Top SSA Management Challenges Retired Management Challenges Audit Work Plans Investigations Cooperative Disability Investigations Print Share Subscribe & Connect Sign Up for E-Updates Connect on Facebook Follow on Twitter Watch on YouTube Follow on Instagram Most Popular Content Kevin M. Huse Improve the Prevention, Detection, and Recovery of Improper Payments What Is Fraud, Waste, or Abuse? Submit a Report Office of Inspector General Jobs and Career Opportunities Español RSS e-updates Contact Us About the OIGOffices Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2016 - 2020 OIG Leadership OIG Timeline Performance Reports Careers About Fraud ReportingSubmit a Report What Is Fraud, Waste, or Abuse? What Do We Investigate? Reporting Other Issues What Info Must I Provide? May I Remain Anonymous? What Will OIG Do With What I Report? Whistleblower Rights and Protection Other Ways to Report Fraud Scam Awareness Audits and InvestigationsAudit Reports Mandatory Reviews Top SSA Management Challenges Retired Management Challenges Audit Work Plans Investigations Cooperative Disability Investigations NewsroomNews Releases Fact Sheets Congressional Testimony Semiannual Reports OIG In the News SSA Anti-Fraud Facts Accessibility Privacy FOIA Open Government Digital Strategy Plain Writing Sitemap USA.gov SSA.gov IGNet.gov Oversight.gov This website is produced and published at U.S. taxpayer expense.
Fitchburg Woman Sentenced for Social Security, MassHealth and Food Stamp Fraud
Published by the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General on 2021-04-05.
Below is a raw (and likely hideous) rendition of the original report.