BOSTON – A Gardner woman pleaded guilty today in federal court in Worcester to fraudulently receiving Social Security disability benefits.
Leidy E. Otero, 43, pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of stolen government money or property and one count of Social Security fraud – concealment. U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman scheduled sentencing for Aug. 27, 2026. Otero was charged in April 2026.
In 2011, Otero applied for and began receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) as the representative payee for two other individuals based on Otero’s limited income and resources. In assessing a married individual’s eligibility for SSI, the income and resources of the applicant’s spouse is considered if they live together. If an applicant is awarded SSI, they have a continuing obligation to notify SSA of any…
Educate elderly family members about the “Grandchild in Trouble” scam, where criminals impersonate relatives in distress to demand urgent wire transfers or gift card codes.