A Gardner resident, Leidy E. Otero, was charged on Apr. 20 in federal court in Worcester with allegedly receiving Social Security disability benefits she was not entitled to, according to an announcement by United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Amy Connelly, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General.
The case is part of ongoing efforts by federal authorities to address benefit fraud across Massachusetts. Otero, age 43, faces one count each of receipt of stolen government money or property and Social Security fraud – concealment. She is accused of obtaining approximately $185,266 in benefits from January 2015 through March 2025 while concealing material information from the Social Security Administration.
If convicted, Otero could face up to ten years in prison for receipt of stolen government money or property and up to five years for Social Security fraud – concealment. Each charge also carries a potential fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss involved. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes governing criminal cases.
Foley recently announced the creation of the Benefit & Voter Fraud Team on March 26 as a district-wide initiative led by two senior prosecutors aiming to investigate and prosecute misuse of taxpayer-funded benefits statewide. The public is encouraged to report suspected benefit fraud by calling a dedicated hotline at 1-855-SCAM-MA-1 (855-722-6621).
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced its National Fraud Enforcement Division as part of President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance—a whole-of-government effort focused on eliminating waste and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts enforces federal laws through prosecutions involving national security threats and civil rights violations according to its official website. The office handles both criminal prosecutions and civil litigation for the United States throughout Massachusetts according to its official website, employing over 200 attorneys, paralegals, and professional staff according to its official website. Its facilities include locations at Boston’s John Joseph Moakley United States Federal Courthouse as well as branch offices in Springfield and Worcester according to its official website.
Otero is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.