Loganville Woman Pleads Guilty to Theft of Government Funds

Mary Bridges Clark, 64, of Loganville has pleaded guilty in federal district court to theft of government funds, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney General's Office of the Northern Georgia District.
 
 “Theft of Social Security funds is, at its core, stealing from the elderly, the disabled, and those with the greatest need,” U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said in the release. “This defendant stole over $200,000 in Social Security benefits that were intended for her mother for nearly two decades after her mother passed away, even though she knew she was not entitled to them.” 

According to Yates, the charges and other information presented in court showed that Clark’s mother received monthly Social Security benefits which were deposited into a joint bank account Clark and her mother shared. This continued after Clark’s mother died in April 1993. A total of $219,133.00 was desposited into the joint account after her mother’s death. Although she knew that the money was intended for her month, Clark kept the money and used it for her own personal expenses, Yates said. Clark also was charged with attempting to conceal her mother’s death from the Social Security Administration.

Clark was charged in a Criminal Information on July 17, 2013, on one count of theft of government funds and pleaded guilty to that count, according to the release. She could receive a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The Court will consider the United States Sentencing Guidelines in determining the sentence, which is scheduled for 3 p.m. Oct. 21, before U.S. Northern District Judge Julie Carnes.

This case is being investigated by Special Agents of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General.