WORCESTER, MA — A Barre woman has been charged in federal court in Worcester in connection with the theft of more than $100,000 in Social Security benefits, according to a charging document announced by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Jennifer Valley, 51, was charged with one count of theft of government money. The USAO alleges that Valley stole about $100,218 in Social Security retirement benefits from October 2022 through August 2025.
She faces a possible sentence of up to 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 case was announced by U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley and Amy Connelly, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Nagelberg of the Major Crimes Unit.
The announcement comes as federal prosecutors in the state have highlighted benefit fraud as an enforcement priority. On Mar. 26, Foley announced the creation of the Benefit & Voter Fraud Team, a district-wide initiative in response to fraud uncovered across Massachusetts.
The team is led by two senior federal prosecutors serving as fraud coordinators. Their stated mission is to investigate and prosecute the misuse of taxpayer-funded benefits in Massachusetts.
Valley will next appear in federal court in Worcester. No date for her court appearance was included in the news release.
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