Prairie Village, Kansas Woman Pleads Guilty to Social Security Benefits Fraud

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Prairie Village, Kan., woman pleaded guilty in federal court today for defrauding the Social Security Administration.

Gloria Burggraf, 70, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge D. Greg Kays to one count of theft of government money. According to the plea agreement, Burggraf's former husband passed away in March of 2021 while he was receiving Social Security Administration ("SSA") retirement benefits. At the time, Burggraf was also receiving her own SSA retirement benefits in the same joint account. Burggraf was aware of her obligation to report that she was receiving her late husband's benefits in error, failed to do so and continued to collect nearly $95,000 over a four-year period. This successful prosecution is one of many federal fraud cases pursued under the leadership of President Donald Trump and through the establishment of the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud.

Under federal statutes, Burggraf is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda K. Hanson. It was investigated by the Social Security Office of the Inspector General.

National Fraud Enforcement Division

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division ("Fraud Division"). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department's work to combat fraud supports President Trump's Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.