An Amarillo woman has pleaded guilty to social security fraud. Blanca Alvarez, age unknown, faced charges of stealing Social Security benefits.
Alvarez pleaded guilty in Amarillo’s U.S. District Court to one charge of Social Security fraud. According to federal court documents, Alvarez filed for Social Security benefits on behalf of a child. The child was in a state foster care program.
Alvarez knowingly lied to receive disability payments for the child, according to the complaint. Alvarez received about $26,000 in Social Security payments for the child who was under the care of the state of Texas. The defendant waits to hear a judge’s decision; she is facing up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.