An East Weymouth woman has been formally charged with bank fraud related to allegations that she had wrongfully obtained Social Security benefits following the death of a Social Security beneficiary, law enforcement officials announced. Debora A. Siler, age 68, is set to appear in U.S. District Court in Boston on Sept. 11, for charges that could land her up to 30 years in prison if convicted.
Charging documents shared by the U.S. Attorney's Office allege Siler to have schemed close to $61,685.13 from June 2015 through September 2020. She's accused of having access to and using a dead person's checkbook and debit card to improperly funnel benefits into her own hands. Instead of reporting the individual's death, it appears she continued to regularly and fraudulently withdraw the funds.
In addition to potential prison time, if Siler found is guilty, she could also face five years of supervised release and a hefty fine—the greater of $250,000 or twice the amount of the gross gain or loss from her fraud. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Special Agent-in-Charge Amy Connelly of the SSA's Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division, made the joint announcement of the charges.
The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Nagelberg of the Major Crimes Unit. While the allegations detail a serious misuse of Social Security funds, it is important to remember that Siler is presumed innocent and will remain so unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court. The outcome of this case is to yet be determined following her court appearance next month.
