Philly council staffer charged with stealing Social Security checks

July 20, 2012

Beware if you have an elderly person in your family or know an elderly person who receives Social Security benefits, as they may need your help in securing their checks each month.

They may even need you to assist them in getting their monthly checks automatically deposited into their bank, which may protect them from the kind of theft reported in the following story.

After being accused of stealing Social Security checks from an elderly woman in her care, a 52-year-old woman, who has worked as a secretary for the Philadelphia City Council for 32 years, has been charged with multiple accounts of theft, reports The Philadelphia Inquirer.

The investigation began when police officers found an 88-year-old woman living in filth in her home.

The secretary was the person responsible for receiving the woman’s checks. It was determined that she had stolen $24,688 since 2008.

The woman was responsible for producing commendations and declarations for the council members. She had no access to city finances.

She was arrested Tuesday in her Philadelphia home and has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Monday.

The city council president said that he wanted to learn more about the charges and speak to the secretary before making a decision about her job status.

If you or someone you know needs help with disability benefits, contact the Social Security lawyers at Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin.