Christina Daniels, a former employee of the Social Security Administration (SSA), has admitted guilt in federal court to charges of theft of government property and aggravated identity theft. The case was presented in Atlanta, where U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg emphasized the breach of trust committed by Daniels.
“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,” said Hertzberg. He reiterated the commitment of his office to address such fraud vigorously.
Michelle L. Anderson, Assistant Inspector General for Audit performing the duties of the Inspector General, expressed disapproval over Daniels’ actions: “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 court heard that between January 2023 and May 2024, Daniels manipulated direct deposit details for around 28 beneficiaries while working at the SSA office in Norcross, Georgia. Her role as a customer service representative allowed her access to change this information, which she exploited to misappropriate over $110,000.
Daniels executed her scheme by setting up Green Dot and Cash App accounts using stolen personal information from unsuspecting beneficiaries. She then redirected these individuals’ benefits into accounts under her control.
The fraudulent activity came to light following complaints from retirement beneficiaries about missing payments. Investigations revealed that Daniels had altered direct deposit data for numerous beneficiaries, including some who were her relatives.
Daniels faces one count of theft of government money with a potential maximum sentence of 10 years and one count of aggravated identity theft with a mandatory two-year consecutive sentence. Sentencing will be determined based on United States Sentencing Guidelines and is set for a future date before 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 further details, contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6185.
