OCALA, Fla. (WFLA) — A Florida woman pleaded responsible to stealing Social Security benefits meant for her deceased father, in accordance to the U.S. Department of Justice.
United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg mentioned Friday that Dawn Rae Dempsey, 52, of Beverly Hills, Florida, admitted to stealing federal funds for over 5 years.
According to the DOJ, Dempsey’s father died in November 2015, however the defendant by no means informed Security Administration (SSA) Retirement and Survivors Insurance (RSI) about his passing.
From Dec. 3, 2015, to Feb. 3, 2021, Dempsey would gather funds made to her father’s account and use it for her personal profit. In whole, the SSA deposited $112,611 into her father’s account throughout 63 funds.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Dempsey additionally collected $167,000 from her father’s Coast Guard retirement benefits. By March 2021, the account was overdrawn.
The DOJ mentioned Dempsey admitted to stealing the cash after being confronted by investigators.
Her sentencing listening to is scheduled for March 9, 2023. She may face 10 years in federal jail for theft of presidency funds.