Thibodaux Man Sentenced for Social Security Theft
Summary
Nathaniel Hopkins, Jr., 48, of Thibodaux, Louisiana, was sentenced on February 18, 2025 to 3 years of probation by U.S. District Judge Jay Zainey after pleading guilty to theft of government funds, Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced. According to court documents, Hopkins's wife was authorized to receive Social Security retirement survivor insurance benefits from 2003 until the wife's death in April, 2014, and from April, 2014 to January, 2024 Hopkins received approximately $144,176.43 in benefits designated for the wife after failing to notify SSA of the death. Hopkins also accessed $3,200.00 in COVID-19/CARES Act stimulus funds from the deceased wife's bank account. The court ordered restitution of $144,176.43 to the Social Security Administration and $3,200.00 to the U.S. Treasury, plus a $100 special assessment.
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Full text
NEW ORLEANS – Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that NATHANIEL HOPKINS, JR. (“ HOPKINS ”), age 48, of Thibodaux, Louisiana, was sentenced on February 18, 2025 to 3 years of probation by United States District Judge Jay Zainey after previously pleading guilty to Theft of Government Funds, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641. According to court documents, HOPKINS’s wife, was authorized to receive Social Security Administration (“SSA”) Title II – Retirement Survivor Insurance Benefits from 2003 until her death in April, 2014. From April, 2014 to January, 2024, HOPKINS illegally received benefits designated for his wife totaling approximately $144,176.43, after failing to notify SSA of his wife’s death. He also accessed $3,200.00 in COVID-19/CARES Act stimulus funds from his deceased wife’s bank account. In addition to probation, HOPKINS was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $144,176.43 to the U.S. Social Security Administration and $3,200.00 to the U.S. Treasury along with a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson praised the work of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward J. Rivera of the Financial Crimes Unit.
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