Bennettsville woman allegedly steals Social Security - WMBFNews.com, Myrtle Beach/Florence SC, Weather

FLORENCE, SC (WMBF) – A woman from the Pee Dee that was charged with improperly receiving disability benefits has pleaded guilty.

According to US States Attorney Bill Nettles, 62-year-old Linda Barton is charged with one count of theft of government property in September 2012. She pled guilty in a federal court in Florence in April.

"Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Barton concealed the fact that she had a business interest in the Stockyard Bar & Grill when applying for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration. As a result of her misrepresentation, the Social Security Administration awarded Barton more than $30,000 in disability benefits from February 2005 to April 2011," said US Attorney Bill Nettles.

The maximum penalty Barton can receive is a fine of $250,000 and/or 10 years in prison.

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