AIKEN, S.C. — A federal jury convicted Cynthia Delores Holland, 61, former Aiken County Director of Voter Registration and Elections, of theft of government property after she fraudulently obtained Social Security benefits meant for her deceased mother.
The investigation revealed that Holland continued to receive her mother’s retirement benefits for nearly a decade after her mother passed away in 2013. These payments, totaling over $168,000, were mistakenly deposited into a joint account held by Holland and her mother. Instead of reporting the error, Holland transferred the funds into her personal account and spent the money.
The fraud was uncovered in 2021 through the Social Security Administration’s Death Match Project, which cross-references death records with benefit recipients. Holland’s mother’s name appeared on the list, prompting an investigation.
Holland’s illegal receipt of benefits ended in December 2022, when the Social Security Administration terminated the payments.
She now faces up to 10 years in federal prison, fines up to $250,000, restitution, and three years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling stated, “We are committed to protecting our taxpayer-funded systems from fraud and abuse.” Michelle L. Anderson, Acting Inspector General for the SSA, added, “Her deception is especially troubling given her former public office.”
