Former Bristol woman sentenced for stealing federal funds
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A former Bristol woman who perpetrated a Social Security Supplemental Security Income scheme was sentenced today.
According to court documents, 44-year-old Sonia Pimentel, now residing in Norwich Connecticut, pleaded guilty on December 1, 2022 to a charge of theft of public funds.
Officials said Pimentel fraudulently collected more than $42,000 in SSI benefits earmarked for a disabled child who was no longer in her care.
Pimentel admitted that from Dec. 2011 through Oct. 2016, she continued to receive monthly SSI payments that she would use on personal expenses.
The funds totaled $42,346.73, court records stated.
Pimentel was subsequently sentenced to three years of federal probation and ordered to pay restitution in the amount she stole, back to the Social Security Administration.
