A Pompano Beach woman has been convicted of stealing more than $152,000 in Social Security retirement benefits meant for her deceased great-aunt over the past six years, prosecutors said Tuesday.
Asha Anderson, 48, was found guilty of theft of government funds and Social Security fraud following a six-day trial, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Florida.
“Social Security is funded by the hard work of American taxpayers and exists to support those who are lawfully entitled to its benefits,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “For nearly six years, Asha Anderson stole more than $152,000 in benefits intended for her deceased great-aunt. Today’s jury verdict makes clear that those who steal from programs Americans depend on will be investigated, prosecuted, and held accountable.”
Anderson had repeatedly accessed her great-aunt’s bank account and withdrew the funds, which the Social Security Administration deposited into her account monthly even after her death, court records stated.
Between April 2017 and December 2022, Anderson had made hundreds of cash withdrawals from ATMs in Pompano Beach and Coconut Creek, prosecutors said.
Anderson faces up to 10 years in federal prison for theft of government funds and up to five years for Social Security fraud.