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Woman Sentenced For Stealing Social Security Benefits

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A 50-year-old Ceylon, Minn. woman has been sentenced for stealing more than $45,000 in Social Security benefits.

On Tuesday in federal court, Tammi Marie Palmer was sentenced to three years of probation and 180 days of home confinement on one count of making a false statement for use in determining eligibility for Social Security benefits.

In her plea agreement, Palmer admitted to making a false statement to the Social Security Administration to determine if she was eligible to receive supplemental social security income benefits on behalf of her two disabled sons. Specifically, Palmer failed to disclose that her then-husband was living with her and was earning wages.

Because of her false statements, she received approximately $46,630.45 in unentitled supplemental Social Security benefits between June 2003 and January 2009.

Palmer was also ordered to serve 40 hours of community service and ordered to pay $46,630.45 in restitution.

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