Tyler Woman Guilty of Social Security Fraud

TYLER – A 50-year-old Tyler woman has pleaded guilty to social security fraud in the Eastern District of Texas announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales Monday. Lisa Godfrey pleaded guilty to theft of government property Monday in Tyler before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love.

According to federal authorities, in 2006, Godfrey applied for Title II, Social Security Retirement and Survivors Insurance Benefits on behalf of both of her children who lived with her at the time. In January 2007, one of Godfrey’s children moved out of her home and began living with their father. However, Godfrey continued to receive Social Security Benefit payments on behalf of that child and on three separate occasions, Godfrey falsely reported to the Social Security Administration that the child was still living with her during those reporting periods. This resulted in an overpayment of Social Security Administration benefits in the amount of $29,490. Godfrey, indicted by a federal grand jury on June 2, faces up to 10 years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.