Karen Nolan, a 66-year-old woman from Norwood, has recently made headlines after pleading guilty to stealing government benefits, specifically federal workers' compensation and Social Security disability benefits, for years. According to a press release from the United States Attorney's Office in Massachusetts, she now faces a sentencing scheduled for December 7, 2023.
While most citizens dutifully contribute to the system that supports their fellow Americans in times of need, Nolan chose to defraud these institutions, which rely on honesty and integrity to function effectively.
According to the aforementioned press release, Nolan began her fraudulent scheme around November 2017. She continued to receive federal workers' compensation benefits until August 2021. Meanwhile, she began receiving Social Security disability benefits from July 2019 through August 2021 under false pretenses.
In April 2019, Nolan reported to the Social Security Administration (SSA) that she had not been working due to a medical disability since 2017. However, it was discovered that she was actively employed at a dermatology practice at the time, which goes against her claims. Furthermore, in May 2021, Nolan made similar false statements to the Department of Labor, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.
Her actions have resulted in multiple charges, including two counts of theft of public funds and two counts of making false statements. If found guilty, she could face up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss for the theft charges, whichever is greater. The false statement charges could lead to a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The final verdict will be determined by a federal district court judge, based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes governing criminal cases.
Several authorities collaborated in investigating and prosecuting Nolan's case, including Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Social Security Administration, and the Insurance Fraud Bureau of Massachusetts. This collaborative approach to pursuing justice exemplifies the dedication and commitment of these agencies to preserving and maintaining the integrity of our public systems.
