An East Weymouth resident, Debora A. Siler, 68, has been charged in federal court with one count of bank fraud related to Social Security benefits. The charge was announced in Boston and Siler is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court on September 11, 2025.
According to charging documents, authorities allege that from June 2015 through September 2020, Siler fraudulently obtained about $61,685.13 in Social Security benefits. It is alleged that after the death of a Social Security beneficiary in May 2015, Siler had access to the deceased individual’s checkbook and debit card. Instead of notifying the Social Security Administration or the bank about the death, she allegedly continued accessing funds by forging checks and using the debit card until the account was depleted.
The charge of bank fraud carries a potential penalty of up to 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release, and a fine up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss involved.
“United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Amy Connelly, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division made the announcement. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Nagelberg of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.”
Officials emphasized that these are allegations at this stage: “The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.”
