NEW JERSEY — A Middlesex County woman has admitted to fraudulently collecting more than $150,000 in Social Security retirement benefits intended for her deceased mother, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.
Deborah Bailey, 68, of Piscataway, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Robert A. Kirsch in Trenton federal court to one count of theft of public money. Her sentencing is scheduled for August 19, 2025.
According to court documents and statements made during the hearing, Bailey’s mother had been receiving retirement benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). After her mother’s death in 2016, Bailey failed to notify the agency and continued to access the funds deposited into her mother’s account.
Over the next eight years, Bailey withdrew approximately $150,903, using the money for personal expenses, prosecutors said.
The SSA Office of the Inspector General, led by Special Agent in Charge Amy Connelly, launched an investigation and uncovered the scheme, confirming that Bailey had knowingly stolen public funds.
Bailey now faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 under federal law.
The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Keith Abrams of the Narcotics/OCDETF Unit in Newark.
