Buffalo, New York - U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that a federal grand jury in Buffalo returned a two-count Indictment on December 17, 2014, charging Tracy Anderson, age 43, of Tonawanda, New York, with knowingly and willfully making a false document and unlawfully receiving supplemental security income, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1001(a)(3) and 641. 

Anderson was arrested and arraigned on December 29, 2014.  The charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott S. Allen, Jr. stated that the Indictment charges the defendant with making a false document and fraudulently receiving federal benefits on behalf of her son when in fact, her child was not living with her at the time of receipt.

The Indictment is the result of an investigation from the Office of the Inspector General of the Social Security Administration, under the direction of Resident Agent in Charge Bradley Parker.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.