Troy Woman Sentenced, Ordered to Repay $82,940 After Yearslong Fraud to Obtain Benefits

Press Release

Christie Mitchell lied to appear eligible for SSI, MaineCare & SNAP benefits

BANGOR, Maine: A Troy woman was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Bangor for Social Security fraud, health care fraud, and theft of public money.

U.S. District Judge Stacey D. Neumann sentenced Christie Mitchell, 49, to three years of probation, including five months of home detention. She was also ordered to pay $82,940 in restitution. Mitchell pleaded guilty on April 26, 2024.

According to court records, from about October 2013 to February 2020, Mitchell lied to the Social Security Administration (SSA) about her husband's presence in her household and his income to fraudulently appear eligible for Supplemental Security Income payments. Mitchell also concealed her husband's presence and income from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (ME/DHHS) from about October 2013 to December 2019, during which time she received MaineCare benefits and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

In multiple benefit eligibility reviews, Mitchell falsely represented to the SSA and ME/DHHS that she and her husband lived separately. She failed to disclose her husband's presence and income despite knowing that she was required to and that it would affect her eligibility to receive benefits.

SSA's Office of the Inspector General and ME/DHHS's Fraud Investigation and Recovery Unit investigated the case.

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Updated November 7, 2024