Woman who stole $40,000 in benefits paid to dead grandmother faces a decade in prison

A Florida woman admitted to stealing more than $40,000 in social security benefits that were paid to a deceased relative, federal prosecutors said.

Last week, Lori Shaffer, 53, pleaded guilty to theft of government property. She entered her plea in a federal court in Pennsylvania where she was charged.

Between July 2013 and October 2017, Shaffer stole $43,672 in Survivor’s Insurance Benefits from social security, according to prosecutors. The money was being paid to Shaffer’s deceased grandmother and Shaffer knew she was not supposed to have the money.

Shaeffer now faces of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

The exact nature of the sentence will be based on the offense and if Shaffer has a criminal history, federal prosecutors noted.

Her sentencing is set for February.