Dominican national sentenced for misusing Social Security number, stealing benefits, while living in Massachusetts

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A Dominican national previously residing in Springfield was sentenced today in connection with using another individual’s identity to fraudulently obtain government benefits.

Andrea Perez Placencia, 59, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to one year and one day in prison and three years of supervised release. Perez Placencia also was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $32,029. On Sept. 20, 2021, Perez Placencia pleaded guilty to one count of false representation of a Social Security number and two counts of theft of government money.

Perez Placencia used the identity of a Puerto Rican citizen to apply for and obtain Housing Choice Voucher Program, commonly known as Section 8, housing assistance benefits as well as to receive disability benefits from the Social Security Administration. As a result, between August 2017 and August 2018, Perez Placencia fraudulently received approximately $12,570 in Social Security benefits and, from April 2019 through February 2021, she fraudulently received $17,380 in Section 8 housing assistance benefits.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; John Cremonini, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Boston Field Office; and Christina Scaringi, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, made the announcement today. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Burzycki of Mendell’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

About Michael Silvia

Served 20 years in the United States Air Force. Owner of New Bedford Guide.

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