SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – A Tampa woman is facing federal fraud charges and state felony charges after authorities said she concealed her aunt’s death and continued collecting benefits paid in the woman’s name.
Rebecca Stewart Vaughn, 64, was charged by federal indictment with four counts of wire fraud and one count of theft of government money, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.
Federal prosecutors allege Vaughn carried out a scheme involving Social Security benefits and pension payments from the Teacher’s Retirement System of the City of New York that were intended for her aunt. According to the indictment, Vaughn concealed her aunt’s death, disposed of her body in a wooded lot near a wastewater treatment plant, and falsely told law enforcement her aunt was still alive.
Prosecutors said the alleged concealment caused the Social Security Administration and the New York pension system to continue sending monthly payments, which Vaughn then spent on herself and others. The indictment seeks forfeiture of more than $75,000.
In a separate state case, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said Vaughn was arrested after an investigation into human remains found Aug. 8, 2025, in a wooded area in the 19100 block of Ramblewood Road in Lutz.
Investigators later identified the remains as 78-year-old Jacquelyn Cirone through DNA testing, according to the sheriff’s office. Authorities said detectives determined that a family member caring for the victim disposed of her remains in the woods after her death.
Vaughn is charged in the state case with unlawfully holding or moving a dead human body in unapproved conditions, failure to report a death to the Medical Examiner or law enforcement with intent to conceal and tampering with physical evidence.
“This case is the result of relentless investigative work and a critical partnership with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. “The actions taken in this case show a complete disregard for human dignity, and we will ensure those responsible face the full consequences.”
The DOJ identified the aunt only as J.C., while the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office identified the victim as Jacquelyn Cirone.
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