Beverly Watson McNabb, 62, of Greensburg, Louisiana, has pleaded guilty to theft of government funds. The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Ellison C. Travis. The plea was entered before U.S. Chief Judge Shelly D. Dick.
According to information provided during the plea hearing, the United States Social Security Administration (SSA) deposited retirement benefits for McNabb’s elderly family member, identified as R.W., into a commercial bank account that McNabb could access.
R.W. died on or about December 5, 2015. From that date until at least April 7, 2020, McNabb took SSA benefits from the account even though she knew she was not entitled to them. Over this period of nearly five years, she used the stolen funds—totaling approximately $50,000—for personal expenses such as a wedding dress and other items from restaurants, supermarkets, and prison commissaries for friends. She also made several cash withdrawals from the account for additional purchases.
McNabb’s conviction for federal program theft carries a maximum sentence of ten years in prison, a fine up to $250,000, and supervised release.
The investigation is being conducted by the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General and the United States Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Edward H. Warner is prosecuting the case and serves as Deputy Criminal Chief.
“Acting United States Attorney Ellison C. Travis announced that Beverly Watson McNabb, age 62, of Greensburg, Louisiana, pled guilty before U.S. Chief Judge Shelly D. Dick to theft of government funds.”
