17 people charged in $1.3 MILLION Social Security fraud crackdown—one woman hid dead mom's body in freezer, pocketed the cash: DOJ

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has charged 17 individuals in connection with alleged Social Security fraud schemes, stealing over $1.3 million in federal taxpayer-funded benefits. Allegations lodged against the defendants charged on Tuesday include unlawfully securing funds through deceased or disabled relatives, according to a DOJ press release.

Defendant Eva Bratcher, of Chicago, has been accused of concealing her dead mother's body in a garage refrigerator for two years after her death, and pocketing $21,402 from the Social Security Administration (SSA).

"The Social Security Administration's benefits programs are meant to safeguard America's elderly and most vulnerable - not to bankroll fraudsters," said Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald, who is leading the DOJ's fraud division.

"Every dollar stolen is a dollar taken from a retiree's medicine, meals, or housing," he added. "These cases represent just a fraction of the fraud we are aggressively pursuing every day. The egregious facts unconverted in these cases underscore why our mission to combat fraud - large or small - is vital to protecting public trust and ensuring justice."

Defendant Bratcher was sentenced in 2023 to 18 months in prison for possessing a fraudulent ID card and concealing a death. She now faces several new fraud charges that come with a maximum of 10 years' imprisonment if found guilty.

"During those two years," said the DOJ, "Bratcher assumed her mother's identity, collected her mother's SSA benefits, and used her mother's [Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program] SNAP benefits. She also allegedly used an alternative Social Security Number to steal additional SNAP benefits to which she was not entitled to."

Defendant David Darling, of New York, allegedly used his deceased brother's ATM card and began withdrawing money the day after he died. SSA was unaware of his brother's death and continued depositing money into the account. Darling allegedly continued the scheme and amassed over $109,740 in unlawfully obtained Social Security benefits, according to the DOJ.

Defendant Laura Whisenant, of Michigan, has been accused of misusing nearly $121,00 of her mentally disabled uncle's SSA benefits, while he lived in inhumane conditions. The scheme allegedly lasted for seven years, according to the DOJ.

The other similar allegations lodged against the defendants can be found here.

This comes as the Trump administration cracks down on fraud nationwide with the DOJ's newly formed fraud division.