A Charlton woman is facing a serious bank fraud charge after authorities allege she took advantage of a deceased individual's Social Security and pension payments. Gina M. Cummings, 60, was taken into custody and charged with one count of bank fraud, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office. Following her initial court appearance before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Jennifer C. Boal, Cummings was released with certain conditions.
Cummings' alleged misconduct spanned over a period of more than five years, from January 2020 through July 2025, during which prosecutors claim she illegally pocketed approximately $111,853. This figure includes Social Security benefits, private pension payments, and COVID Economic Impact Payments. Charging documents, as reported by the Department of Justice, suggest Cummings had access to a checkbook belonging to a Social Security beneficiary who had passed away in August 2019. Cummings is accused of forging the deceased's signature on 84 checks and using the funds for regular bill payments without reporting the death to appropriate parties.
The gravity of the bank fraud charge Cummings faces is significant, with penalties that can reach up to 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000, or double the gross gain or loss from the fraud. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines among other statutory factors. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Amy Connelly, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division, have announced the charge. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Nagelberg of the Major Crimes Unit.
It should be noted the details laid out in the charging documents remain allegations at this stage, with Cummings maintaining the legal presumption of innocence until proven guilty in a court of law.
