NJ Woman Admits Fraudulently Obtaining $144,000 in Social Security Benefits

• NJ woman admits to defrauding the Social Security Administration
• She improperly collected more than $144,000 in survivor benefits
• She now faces up to a decade in prison

A North Jersey woman admitted that she defrauded the Social Security Administration by improperly obtaining over $144,000 in survivor benefits.

Earlier this month in Newark federal court, 60-year-old Joan Charnecky of West Milford, Passaic County, pleaded guilty to one count of theft of public money.

Federal authorities say the Social Security Administration provided widow's insurance benefits to Charnecky's mother. After she died in 2012, Charnecky did not notify officials of her passing and she made withdrawals of the insurance benefits for her own personal use.

It was determined that between 2012 and 2022, Charnecky withdrew approximately $144,768.30 in widow’s insurance benefits.

The charge of theft of public money carries up to a decade in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for January 21st.