11 Arizonans Accused Of $1.3M In Social Security Theft: Authorities

PHOENIX, AZ — The U.S. Attorney's office for the District of Arizona has accused 11 Arizonans of stealing Social Security payments, totaling $1.3 million.

The 11 Arizonans were indicted on federal criminal charges related to the thefts, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's office.

The indictments were the result of an investigation by the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General into Social Security payments made to people who were later confirmed to be dead.

In some cases, according to the attorney's office, the Social Security payments continued for years after the person's death. In many of the cases, relatives of the people who died used the money and never told Social Security Administration that their relative had died, the attorney's office said.

If any of the 11 people are convicted of theft of public money, they could face up to 10 years in prison, up to a $250,000 fine, or both.