Boston Woman Fraudulently Collected Deceased Father's Social Security

A Boston woman faces up to 10 years in prison after taking more than $470,000 in Social Security funds and annuity payments meant for her deceased father, according to the U.S. District Attorney’s Office.

Frances Kenney Moseley, 65, of Jamaica Plain, pleaded guilty to theft of government funds and tax evasion on Monday in U.S. District Court.

Moseley regularly collected her father’s Social Security benefits following his death in 2003 until 2010. She withdrew approximately $222,172 in Social Security funds she was not entitled to and failed to report the money as income on her federal taxes.

She also took approximately $248,016 of annuity payments from a private investment and annuity company, TIAA-CREF, after the payments should have ceased once her father passed away.

She has also held positions at organizations including the American Red Cross, the Boys and Girls Club, Empowered Philanthropy and One Family Fund.

Moseley has been a prominent contributor to various charitable organizations over the years. She is the former chairman and president for the Big Sister Association of Greater Boston, trustee for Boston Children’s Hospital Board of Overseers and a founding member of the Boston Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, according to Highbeam.

She has contributed to committees like the Obama Victory Fund and Obama For America. Her FindTheBest profile shows that she contributed at least $2,750 in 2008 and $5,281 in 2012.

Maximum penalties for Moseley’s felony charges include a supervised release for three years, a $250,000 fine, restitution and 10 years incarceration. Her sentencing is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 22.

Family members withdrawing and spending government funds they are not entitled to is an ongoing issue with the Social Security Administration.

A Shrewsbury man fraudulently took Social Security benefits that were directly deposited into a joint bank account since his mother passed away in 2009. George Bergstrom pleaded guilty in August to theft of public money, was sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to pay $57,948 in restitution.

Mary Murphy of Dorchester pleaded guilty in July to taking $349,777 of her deceased mother’s Social Security and Civil Service retirement benefits since 1977. Her sentencing is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 22.

In October 2013, John Flaherty of Newburyport was charged with theft of public money and sentenced to 10 months in prison. He was ordered to pay $168,830 in restitution for taking his deceased mother’s Social Security benefits since 1993.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Social Security Administration work to prosecute those who commit Social Security fraud after a relative has died.

IRS Criminal Investigator and Public Information Officer Amy Hosney said if people are able to see the consequences of taking government funds they are not entitled to, then “everyone will pay their fair share.”