South Orange Woman Stole $1M Of Dead Aunt's Benefits: Prosecutors

NEWARK, NJ — A South Orange woman was indicted after prosecutors said she collected more than $1 million of federal benefits meant for her deceased aunt over 25 years.

Janis Miller, 77, was charged this week with one count of wire fraud after U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger said she collected payments from the Social Security Administration and the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

Starting in 1998 when Miller's aunt died, prosecutors said approximately $1.01 million in retirement and survivor benefits were deposited into the aunt's bank account.

Using a debit card, cash withdrawals, and forged checks made out to a company Miller controlled, prosecutors said Miller unlawfully spent nearly all of the embezzled funds.

According to the indictment, Miller collected more than $313,000 from the Social Security Administration and more $697,000 in retirement benefits from the Office of Personnel Management, which distributes survivor benefits to spouses of retired federal employees.

In 2022, prosecutors said Miller impersonated her dead aunt in a telephone conversation with a Social Security Administration employee. The agency discovered the fraud a year later and discontinued the benefits.

If found guilty, Miller could face a penalty of 20 years in prison.