Idaho Falls woman admits to stealing dead mother’s benefits
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POCATELLO – An Idaho Falls woman pleaded guilty Thursday to theft of government funds.
Wendy Banks, 55, admitted that between June 2009 and January 2014, she stole over $29,600 of her deceased mother’s monthly social security benefits. After her mother’s death, investigators say Banks maintained the joint bank account she had shared with her mother.
Banks admitted to forging her mother’s signature or writing “for deposit” on the social security checks. She would then deposit the money into the joint account and change the checks to direct deposit in the joint account.
Banks could serve up to 10 years in prison and pay a fine of $250,000. She will be sentenced in June.