Medford Woman Pleads Guilty To Stealing $100K+ In Benefits

MEDFORD, MA – A Medford woman pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to stealing more than $100,000 in public assistance benefits, including Social Security, Medicare, MassHealth and food stamps, according to the U.S. Attorney's office.

Stephanie DiPierro, 38, pleaded guilty to three counts of theft of public funds, two counts of making false statements and one count of falsely representing a social security number.

Federal authorities said from October 2007 to May 2017, DiPierro stole $73,288 in Social Security benefits, $8,455 in Medicare benefits, $8,615 in MassHealth benefits and $17,929 in food stamps. In September 2015, she falsely claimed to rely solely on her Social Security benefits when she was earning income through her work as a personal care attendant, the USAO said.

The following March, while still employed as a personal care attendant, she told Social Security that she did not take care of anyone else and falsified her Social Security number on a time sheet submitted through her job, according to the USAO.

The charges of theft of public funds carries a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charges of making false statements and false representation of a Social Security number each provide for a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater.

Sentencing has been scheduled for Feb. 26.

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