SSA investigation results in welfare charges for woman

Fagg

A Terre Haute woman was arrested on a warrant Wednesday and booked into the Vigo County Jail charged with welfare fraud and theft.

According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Federal Agent Brett M. Yonkus on Feb. 17, Suzanne Fagg, 53, purposely defrauded the Social Security Administration (SSA) nearly $3,000. Yonkus alleges the scheme continued for an eight -month periood -- from June 2015 until February.

A claims representative at the Terre Haute office alerted oficials of the alleged fraud last month, and maintains that Fagg had not reported work and income history in  a timely manner.  Fagg allegedly has a history of fraudulent behavior with the administration, and in fact, had previously been overpaid more than $15, 400 throughout the years of 2007- 2015. 

According to the report, the claims representive confronted Fagg about not reporting working at two different jobs -- Labor Ready and CoWorx --- from April 2015 to December 2015 which resulted in an overpayment of SSI benefits totalling $2,912.68. The representative reportedly sent several reminders by mail to report earnings.

The SSA has collected $6,500 of the overall prior debt, leaving a balance of $8,900.

Fagg appeared in Vigo Superior Court Div.1 yesterday. Her next hearing is scheduled  May 6.

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