WATERBURY, Conn. (AP) - A Connecticut woman accused of making false statements to fraudulently receive more than $140,000 in Social Security benefits has pleaded guilty.
Omayra Santiago, of Waterbury, appeared in federal court in New Haven on Thursday where she pleaded guilty to theft and conversion of public money.
Officials say the 43-year-old was receiving supplemental Social Security payments in the names of her children over the span of 13 years.
Santiago is accused of having falsely stated her income and living arrangements to get the payments from 2005 to 2018.
Federal authorities say Santiago also failed to disclose that she received $220,000 that a came from a settlement of a lawsuit.
Santiago faces up to 10 years in prison. Her sentencing is scheduled for December.
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