Cape Cod Woman Stole Disability Money Meant For Daughter: Feds

WEST YARMOUTH, MA – A Cape Cod woman was sentenced Tuesday in federal court after being convicted of stealing Social Security disability benefits intended for her daughter. Crystal Lehtola, 35, of West Yarmouth, was found guilty in May of theft of public funds.

From February 2011 to August 2016, Lehtola received approximately $53,682 in benefits intended for her disabled daughter, according to the U.S. Attorney's office. Lehtola repeatedly told the Social Security Administration her daughter lived with her and she spent all of the benefits on her daughter's care, despite never regaining custody of the child after the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families removed her in 2009, the USAO said.

Lehtola spent the money she received from Social Security on herself, according to federal authorities.

She was sentenced Tuesday to three years of supervised release, with the first six months to be served under house arrest, and ordered to pay restitution of $53,682.

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