A 42-year-old Deltona woman is facing up to a decade behind bars after pleading guilty to the theft of over $66,000 in Social Security benefits that were intended for her deceased grandmother.
On Wednesday, July 10, United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that April L. Brockman has pleaded guilty to the theft of government property.
According to court documents, Brockman’s grandmother received Social Security benefits, which were transferred into her checking account via direct deposit. At the time, Brockman served as her grandmother’s power of attorney and therefore had access to the checking account.
In June of 2019, Brockman’s grandmother passed away at the age of 95. No one reported her death to the Social Security Administration, and monthly benefits continued to be deposited monthly into her checking account.
Brockman accessed these post-death benefit payments and spent the money on numerous online purchases, Cash App payments to herself, and debit purchases.
Court records state that Brockman accessed and spent a total of $66,016 in Social Security benefits that she was not entitled to.
Brockman is facing a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. In addition, she must also pay restitution to the Social Security Administration and forfeit the proceeds of her criminal conduct.
A sentencing hearing for Brockman has not yet been scheduled.
This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Del Mastro.