PORTLAND, ME — Donna Desrosiers, 62, of Lewiston, was sentenced in U.S. District Court on Wednesday for Social Security fraud after misrepresenting her household situation over an 11-year period. U.S. District Judge Nancy Torresen sentenced Desrosiers to one year of probation and ordered her to pay $90,674 in restitution.
Desrosiers began receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in 2003, which required her to report any changes in her household, income, or resources. However, during a 2012 eligibility review, Desrosiers failed to disclose that her husband was living with her and contributing income. Despite several reminders, she continued to withhold that information from the Social Security Administration (SSA).
In 2022, Desrosiers admitted to her marriage but claimed she and her husband had not lived together since 2003. An investigation revealed otherwise, showing that the couple maintained a joint bank account and that her husband had been staying with her for part of each month over the last 11 years. Desrosiers later acknowledged that her husband had indeed been living with her.
Desrosiers fraudulently collected $90,674 in SSI benefits from 2011 to 2022. When questioned, she admitted that had she reported the situation truthfully, her benefits would have likely been reduced or discontinued.
Desrosiers pleaded guilty to the charges on October 21, 2024.
