Christina Daniels, a former employee of the Social Security Administration (SSA), has admitted to charges of theft of government property and aggravated identity theft in a federal court. U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg stated, "As an employee of the Social Security Administration, Daniels was entrusted with access to millions of beneficiaries’ personally identifiable information. She abused that trust by accessing sensitive information and using it to steal from the very people she was hired to serve."
The charges against Daniels stem from her actions between January 2023 and May 2024 while working at the SSA office in Norcross, Georgia. As a customer service representative, she had the authority to alter beneficiaries' direct deposit details. Using this position, she diverted over $110,000 by opening Green Dot and Cash App accounts with personal information belonging to unwitting beneficiaries.
Michelle L. Anderson, Assistant Inspector General for Audit performing duties as Inspector General, commented on the case: “Social Security Administration (SSA) employees are entrusted in serving the people - not abusing their important position by stealing money from the people that they are meant to serve to line their own pockets.”
The fraudulent activity came to light following complaints from several retirement beneficiaries who did not receive their monthly payments. Investigations revealed that Daniels had altered direct deposit details for about 28 beneficiaries, redirecting funds into accounts under her control.
Daniels pled guilty to one count of theft of government money and one count of aggravated identity theft. The first charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment while the latter requires a mandatory consecutive sentence of two years. Sentencing will be determined based on United States Sentencing Guidelines before United States District Judge J.P. Boulee.
The investigation is being conducted by the SSA's Office of the Inspector General with Special Assistant United States Attorney Diane C. Schulman prosecuting.
For more information, contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office via email at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or phone at (404) 581-6185.