U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney
District of Maryland
Rod J. Rosenstein
36 S. Charles Street
410-209-4800
United States Attorney Fourth Floor
TTY/TDD:410-962-4462
Baltimore, Maryland 21201-2692
410-209-4885
Vickie E. LeDuc FAX 410-962-3091
Public Information Officer
Vickie.LeDuc@usdoj.gov
May 29, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/md CONTACT AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC or MARCIA MURPHY at (410) 209-4885

FORMER TEACHER SENTENCED IN SCHEME TO FRAUDULENTLY RECEIVE SOCIAL SECURITY, MEDICAID AND HOUSING BENEFITS

Fraudulently Received Over $184,000 in Federal Benefits

Baltimore, Maryland - U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake sentenced Beverly J. Beard, age 53, of Middle River, Maryland, to 30 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for social security fraud and false statements in connection with a scheme by which Beard received over $184,000 in supplemental security income (SSI), Medicaid and federal housing benefits while working full time as a teacher, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein. Judge Blake also ordered Beard to pay restitution of $184,482. Beard was convicted by a federal jury on March 18, 2009.

According to testimony at her four day trial, in 1969 and 1970, Beard obtained two separate social security numbers. In March 1993, the Social Security Administration (SSA) found Beard eligible for SSI payments based on her claim that she was disabled due to varicose veins in her leg. The disability payments were retroactive to the date of her application in May, 1991. Beard also received Medicaid benefits beginning in 1998 as a result of her eligibility as a SSI recipient. From 1985 until January, 2007, Beard also received housing assistance through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s Section 8 program. Beard received these various benefits and payments using one of her social security numbers.

From August 31, 1995 until June 14, 2001, Beard was employed as a full-time teacher with the Baltimore City Public Schools. From August 23, 2001 until at least June of 2007, Beard was employed as a full-time teacher with the Baltimore County Public Schools. Beard used her other social security number for her employment and her bank accounts in order to conceal her income and employment status from SSA, HUD and the Department of Health and Human Services. Beard falsely reported to HUD and SSA that she had no employment, wages or bank accounts in order to receive more than $180,000 in benefits that she otherwise would not have been entitled to receive.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein thanked the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General and the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General for their investigative work. Mr. Rosenstein commended Assistant United States Attorneys Kathleen O. Gavin, and Sujit Raman who prosecuted the case.