BANGOR, Maine — A St. Agatha woman was sentenced Thursday in U.S. District Court to 10 months in federal prison for failing to tell the Social Security Administration that she and her ex-husband had reconciled and were living together.
In addition to prison time, U.S. District Judge John Woodcock sentenced Sandra Gendreau, 55, to a year of supervised release after she completes her prison term. He also ordered her to pay nearly $91,000 in restitution.
Woodcock ordered that Gendreau begin serving her sentence immediately.
Gendreau waived indictment and pleaded guilty in November to concealment of information material to eligibility for Social Security benefits. By pleading guilty, she admitted that she illegally received $6,500 a year for 14 years in disability benefits.
She faced up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the prevailing federal sentencing guidelines, her recommended sentence was between 10 and 16 months, according to court documents.
Fraud…… No way, there is no fraud in Maine. Another upstanding citizen just bilking the government.
10 months when she could have got 5 years. Hmmm
You want her to get a free ride for 5 more years or go get a job and pay it back? Up to you- either way there are complaints.
these people do not work at regular jobs. dealing, yes but that is iunrecorded income and not taxed. this is win win for social security.
Like that will ever happen. Sounds like the judge gave her a 4 yr 2 mo headstart to begin her next round of ripping off us taxpayers.
Well thats a finger in the dyke to plug one leak, now we have to get past the democrat wall protecting the rest of the rampant fraud going on in this state.
It’s Working folks, Honest people turning in the Fraudsters helps reduce costs
and Save the funds for those that Truly need it.
Public Service Announcement
Report Fraud in Maine
Allegations of fraud or attempted fraud involving funds, including Food Stamps,
administered by the Department of Health and Human Services should be sent to:
Fraud, Investigation and Recovery
11 State House Station
Whitten Road
Augusta, Maine 04333-0011
Phone numbers for DHHS Fraud office are:
1-207-287-2409 and 1-800-442-6003
Further questions and suspicions can also be submitted by e-mail.
Fraud.Dhhs@maine.gov
For Additional Fraud, Attempted or Suspected,
Contact the Office of the Attorney General
Phone: 207-626-8800
Mailing Address:
Office of the Attorney General
6 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333
http://www.maine.gov/ag/contact.html
Do All three, Phone, E-mail and send a Letter.
Follow-up in 30 days with a Certified letter if no response.
Send a letter Directly to the Governor’s Office, that should get their attention.
Keep a written log of actions and attempts to notify.
Hold them Responsible!
How about a Governor who’s wife claimed “Two States” as her residence for Tax Purposes?
Did She get 10 Months in Jail?
“By claiming the exemption in both Maine and Florida, the LePage family committed a Class E Crime. These are serious allegations which need to be investigated further. I would not be surprised if legal action is taken either in Maine or Florida,” said Dan Walker, legal counsel to the Maine Democratic Party and an attorney at Preti-Flaherty.
How did that one end up?
He’ll be out in 30 months…
Kin folks said Paul move away from there
Florid ah is the place you awwta be
So he loaded up the labor mural
And moved to Orlando
Disneyland and make-believe.
As a long term republican I am insulted by your comment and quite frankly tired of the partisan bullcrap that seems to go on here. This is not a partisan issue , the matter of fraud in this state( this country in fact) is an issue that should have the blood boiling in all American citizens! There should’n be a free ride mentality i this country as there is. This country wasn’t built that way but will surley fall apart that way !
why are we not looking at the blatant theft by our own politicians and big corporations. If the focus stays on SS and welfare…………..no one pays attention to the BIGGER theft. This just doesn’t make sense to me? Why spend all this time going after folks that steal thousands instead of going after the ones that STEAL millions??? Anyone else out there not understand this tactic to keep the attention of the bigger picture?
I look at that also and am equally outraged . I have for a long time advocated putting a fence around Washington with razor wire on top and placing an army of guards around it. Unfortunately Washington is too powerful but I do have one vote and I use it !
I have been a constant advocate of term limits ( one term ). I am in favor of Washington benefiting from the same health care system they advocate for us. I would prefer that all our politicians would receive minimum wage as so many of the people who employ them ( us) do. I would like to see them work the same hours , the same number of days and with the same number of aides we have. I am in favor of giving them the same retirement benefits we receive ,SSI. Do you understand my comment better now ?
I completely agree with you. We would finally get honest people who truly want change – the ones in office now wouldn’t touch your offer with a ten-foot pole.
How about a Governor and wife wife claimed “Two States” as her residence for Tax Purposes?
Did they get 10 Months in Jail?
Thank you. Lets all work together. When people start pointing the finger at each other that just leads to a fight. The UFC is the place to fight. I am a conservative Democrat. Yes we need to prosecute more fraud cases but the punishment must fit the crime. WELFARE cheats need to be prosecuted for the good of the whole system. Just because some people cheat that is no reason to abolish the whole system which helps people in need. Lets not throw out the baby with bath water. No system is perfect and to help some, some are going to take advantage. That is the real world.
Fair enough.
I learned early in my short legislative career that if I’m willing to pay someone to stay home and do nothing, they won’t let me down.
Everyone should contribute to their own well-being, especially if receiving assistance from their neighbors.
I think thoughtcops is right in some ways. The idea of drug testing welfare recipients was fought against by whom? The loudest cries against the Governor reducing DHHS spending come from where? Fraud is being addressed in many ways here in Maine and yet roadblocks are being thrown up.
I also think that you are right as well. I for the life of me cannot understand what the problem is with seeing a good idea and admitting it, regardless if it is a republican, democrat or whatever political party idea.
You are reight about the mentality of people. Perhaps it is easier to live the way they do. However I tend to think of it as a life without a lot of self-respect.
”
The idea of drug testing welfare recipients was fought against by whom? ”
It doesn’t matter if you’re for or against drug testing of welfare recipients, Florida tried it and it was ruled unconstitutional. That pesky old constitution, always getting in the way.
My point is that we can all out against partisanship and try to stop blaming others when things dont get done. However there are certain things that each party puts forward that makes sense that the other party will do anything to get in the way off. There isnt a whole lot of compromise in many things.
Your point is great and I agree with you completely. Your statement about drug testing had a question mark after it. I answered it, and I think I answered it in a non-partisan way.
Some get away with it!
The Republican Wall!
http://bangor-launch.newspackstaging.com/2010/10/25/politics/lepages-cleared-in-florida-tax-case/
Make room for Poliquin the Tax / Constitution Frauder!
Fat chance :-/
FRAUD, look no further than most not all of our elected officals in state and fed. gov.. Just look at the insider trading being done in Wash. DC. and all the ones on both sides of the asile benifitting and lining thier pockets. This by the way is legal for them but you and I would go to jail Just ask Martha Stewart how she feels now. It took the 60 mins. report to bring light to it and have leg. proposed to change the pratice. But I do agree that there is fraud taking place within our social services and the crack down needs to happen before it bleeds the system dry! It needs to start with Elected Officals!
She has been found guilty of fraud against the federal government. Is a stretch to believe she might have tried to scam the state for illegal benefits as well?
Tax & rent rebate program maybe?
I dont know. Im not an expert but it seems that receiving one type of benefit opens the doors to others.
Tip af the fraud’s iceberg. Tax returns, if any, for all those years?
And she/they were only one of the many (which most of us know of at least one case).
Before you smart alecks start, yes I’ve reported two over the years, to no avail…….
yes it is a stretch. she didnt.
There’s a diffrence between southern Maine and far northern Maine. Along the shores of Long Lake very few people -if any -would approve of her behavior.
REUNITED AND IT FEELS SO GOOD, OR IT DID FOR A WHILE !
Why was she getting Social Security in the first place???
is it any of your business?
She wanted to hit easy street on mud tires !
no not the case
was she spending the money on bath salts ?
not a drug user
mange d”la marde mon criss de anglias.
I don’t know french but I’m going to “like” it because I’m pretty sure I have an idea of the gist of it. :-)
mange your own “la marde…The truth hurts, don’t it la mard face…And I know french…:)
Got Fraud?
Get yourself a Governor to back you up!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMiGSxy0m34&feature=youtu.be
I took the time to check out your web link. It was a waste of time. I thought you had come up with something relevant to the current discussion on SS fraud.
I don’t understand? she must not have reported income-or something — living with some one doesn’t get you put in jail
actually that was all that it was. she had no income besides the social security. living back with your ex obvidously does get you put in jail.
If ignorance is bliss, you must be happier than the fabled pig in excrement.
hey if fraud is what they want try K-part in bangor there is plenty there
K-part?….lol
Capehart. Holy bananas…. How long have to lived there and not known this??
i know it
In a message dated 2/24/2012 4:14:09 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, writes:
(http://disqus.com/)
ALee126 wrote, in response to bdymaniam:
Capehart. Holy bananas…. How long have to lived there and not known this??
_Link to comment_ (http://disq.us/5ngfhq?imp=c025ec25-cddf-4991-95bb-638e65ad252c&thread=587061475&zone=email_notification&event=shortener_click)
Whats her real last name? I’m ashamed to live along Long lake now.
does it matter? there are a few in the st john valley that have done the same but not had it published in the paper for discussion
Wait, say it ain’t so. Fraud in the entitlement program. Thought it was only starving one-legged veterans who got entitlement?
Lead by example!
http://bangor-launch.newspackstaging.com/2010/10/25/politics/lepages-cleared-in-florida-tax-case/
This is only one of many fraudulent cases throughout the state. The system needs reform now.
too bad she did not quit while she was ahead.
Wonder how many welfare mothers move thier boyfriends in? Were they married ? How many live together and get checks for real half?
10 months for 14 years of Fraud? Suggested was 10-16… Judge should have given her the max…
you would say that, but if it were you ?
Bankers NOT imprisoned for banking fraud, mortgage fraud; given bailout directly, already spent the money; millions still being forclosed on.
Wow… have you ever even been to Beautiful Long Lake??… I resent that comment!! WTF does Long Lake have to do with her behavior? There are people along Long Lake hunny that have more money than you will ever see in your lifetime!! Just because she screwed up…doesn’t mean you have to take the whole area down with her! Some people are so ignorant!!
There is a reward for turning in those frauds! So consider yourself warned!
Look you shouldnt throw stones in a glass house. If you dont know someones situation then you shouldnt put your opinion on it. Im sure everyone here that has commented knows someone who knows someone who has done somthing illegal, but be careful of the stones that you cast.