BURLINGTON – Maryann Manning, 63, of Wolcott, was sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to pay restitution of $119,978 to the Social Security Administration (SSA) by Chief United States District Judge Christina Reiss.
Manning previously pleaded guilty to a felony theft charge of receiving stolen government money.
According to court records, Manning’s brother received disability insurance benefit payments from the SSA.
Manning’s brother died in October 2015 at which time his SSA benefits should have terminated. Following his death, Manning collected her brother’s SSA benefits by withdrawing the money from his accounts until she was caught. in February 2024.
Manning took full responsibility for the theft when confronted by investigators on February 16 and has cooperated fully, her attorney Robert Behrens Esq. of Burlington noted in comments to the court.
The total loss to the Social Security Administration was more than $119,000.
United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the investigatory efforts of the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General.
In the plea agreement offered by United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest, the government agreed not to file any additional criminal charges committed by Manning between 2015 and February 2024 in Vermont or Massachusetts.
Manning faced up to 10 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. The actual sentence, however, was determined by the court with guidance from the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and the statutory sentencing factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Stendig, arguing for the government, said the court’s penalty should “promote respect for the law. The defendant’s sentence should deter potential theft from SSA and help instill public confidence . . .”
During sentencing, Behrens proposed Manning be placed on just one year of probation, which would be a significant deterrence in light of her cooperation.
Behrens argued that, after a divorce in 2004, Manning’s circumstances warranted special consideration. She had moved in with her brother George Velardi, three children and her mother, taking care of the children with help from the other two.
Her mother died in 2014 and her brother followed, in October 2015, according to Behrens. Manning began to have financial difficulties. It was then she withdrew her brother’s Social Security payments, trying to keep her children together in the home, he said.
“Unfortunately, even with the misappropriated funds, Ms. Manning was unable to keep the house and eventually moved to Vermont in 2018 with her family in search of a better life/financial situation,” said Behrens.
Behrens said Manning had a productive life until this incident and had been crime-free until then.
Court records indicate Manning told investigators, “I knew this day would come.” Earlier she said she “saw an opportunity and took it.”
Behrens said Mannings’ future Social Security earnings will allow her to make restitution.
Paul Fixx is editor of The Hardwick Gazette and lives in Hardwick.
