Pennsylvania woman admits cashing dead mom's Social Security checks for decades; stole $523K

5/16/2014
ASSOCIATED PRESS

CARLISLE, Pa. — A Pennsylvania woman accused of stealing more than $520,000 in her dead mother’s Social Security checks over the span of 30 years has pleaded guilty.

Court records show 71-year-old Carlisle resident Susan Stock pleaded guilty to a theft of government funds charge Thursday in federal court.

The charge carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000. No sentencing date has been set.

The Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General says it discovered the fraud when trying to arrange an interview last year with Stock’s mother, who died in April 1983.

Investigators say they discovered Stock continued cashing the checks following her mother’s death.