DELTONA, Fla. – April L. Brockman, a 42-year-old woman from Deltona, has pleaded guilty to theft of government property.
The charges stem from Brockman’s unauthorized use of Social Security benefits following the death of her grandmother, who was the designated beneficiary.
According to court documents, Brockman had access to her grandmother’s bank account through a power of attorney.
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After her grandmother’s passing in June 2021, Brockman failed to notify the Social Security Administration, allowing the monthly benefits to continue being deposited. Brockman then spent these funds for personal use, accumulating a total of $66,016 in stolen benefits.
The guilty plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg, who highlighted the severity of the crime and the consequences Brockman now faces. Brockman could be sentenced to a maximum of 10 years in federal prison and is required to repay the stolen funds to the Social Security Administration.
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of reporting deaths to relevant agencies and the potential legal ramifications of misusing government funds. The sentencing date for Brockman has not yet been set.
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