A Minnesota woman has admitted to stealing over $360,000 in Social Security benefits in a fraud scheme that spanned 25 years, raising serious concerns about oversight in federal assistance programs.
Mavious Redmond, 54, of Austin, Minnesota, pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of theft of government funds. Prosecutors say Redmond began collecting her deceased mother’s Social Security retirement benefits in January 1999 and continued the deception for more than two decades.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Redmond repeatedly impersonated her mother in order to continue receiving the payments. Even in 2024, 25 years after her mother’s passing, Redmond visited a Social Security Administration (SSA) office not once, but twice — on June 4 and June 20 — posing as her late mother. She submitted fraudulent forms, including an SS-5 Application for a Social Security card, complete with her mother’s name, birthdate, and Social Security number. Prosecutors say she even forged her mother’s signature, underscoring the deliberate and ongoing nature of the crime.
The amount Redmond stole—$360,000—highlights the significant financial strain fraud places on programs like Social Security, which are already under intense scrutiny as the population ages and demand increases. Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick did not mince words in her condemnation.
“We are awash in federal programs fraud,” Kirkpatrick said. “Redmond stole well more than a quarter million dollars in taxpayer funds. She scammed Social Security for literal decades. No more. My office will continue to aggressively pursue the federal programs fraud that plagues Minnesota.”
This case, though alarming, is not isolated. Federal program fraud remains a widespread problem across the country, undermining public trust and draining resources from programs intended for seniors, veterans, and the disabled.
As Redmond awaits sentencing, questions remain about how such a long-term fraud went undetected for so long. Prosecutors did not reveal what ultimately triggered the investigation, but her attempts to continue the scam in person at SSA offices last year suggest a brazen confidence in avoiding detection.
The maximum penalty for theft of federal program funds is up to 10 years in prison and a fine of either $100,000 or twice the amount stolen—whichever is greater. Redmond’s sentencing date has not yet been announced.
In response to growing concerns about fraud, President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency has made federal fraud investigations a top priority. On April 15, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that President Trump would sign an executive order to prevent illegal immigrants from accessing Social Security benefits and to expand fraud detection efforts.
“This administration is committed to protecting taxpayer money,” Leavitt said. “We will not allow fraud—by citizens or non-citizens—to erode the trust and solvency of our most important programs.”
With cases like Redmond’s drawing national attention, lawmakers and officials are expected to ramp up scrutiny of Social Security payouts and strengthen verification protocols going forward.