COUNCIL BLUFFS (AP) — An Iowa woman has been sentenced to six months in prison for stealing Social Security benefits that the agency mistakenly paid to a dead person for 11 years.
Marlene Moore of Glenwood will also serve six months of home confinement after her release under the sentence issued Tuesday by U.S. District Judge John Jarvey.
Prosecutors say the Social Security Administration was never notified that a beneficiary died in 2001, and kept sending monthly checks of roughly $1,300 until 2012.
Moore had access to the unidentified beneficiary’s bank account and used the money to pay for personal expenses.
In all, she took nearly $165,000 from the account. She pleaded guilty in July to theft.
Prosecutors say Moore used the money to live beyond her means, buying a second house and cars.