Perryopolis woman indicted for theft of benefits
A Perryopolis woman was indicted and charged with theft of government property after she allegedly received $40,517 in illegal Social Security benefits.
The one-count indictment alleged 40-year-old Mika Lint, also known as Mika Baluch, received the money through Old Age, Survivor’s Disability Insurance benefits between Sept. 24, 2014 and July 27, 2016. Prosecutors contended Lint knew she was not entitled to receive those benefits.
If convicted, Lint faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both, dependent on the seriousness of the offense and prior criminal history of the defendant, according to federal sentencing guidelines.
The case will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary McKeen Houghton. The U.S. Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General investigated the case, which led to the indictment.