On February 18, 2025, Nathaniel Hopkins Jr., 48, of Louisiana, was sentenced to three years of probation for theft of government funds after pleading guilty to fraudulently receiving Social Security benefits. Court documents revealed that from April 2014 to January 2024, Hopkins continued to collect his deceased wife’s Social Security benefits, totaling approximately $144,176.43. He also unlawfully accessed $3,200 in COVID-19 stimulus funds from her bank account.
Along with probation, Hopkins was ordered to pay full restitution, including $144,176.43 to the Social Security Administration and $3,200.00 to the U.S. Treasury. Additionally, he was assessed a $100 special fee. This case serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of defrauding government programs.
