Story perspectives

DOJ Charges 17 Fraudsters Over $1.3 Million Benefits Fraud

By Drooid · Sep 29, 2026, 4:47 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

U.S. Department of Justice charged 17 fraudsters with stealing $1.3 million in Social Security benefits.
Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald said Social Security benefits should protect the elderly, not fund fraudsters.
Eva Bratcher allegedly stole $21,402 and used an alternate Social Security number to obtain Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
Bratcher allegedly kept her 96-year-old mother’s body in a freezer and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

1 of 1

Story summary

U.S. Department of Justice charged 17 fraudsters with stealing $1.3 million in Social Security benefits.
Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald said Social Security benefits should protect the elderly, not fund fraudsters.
Eva Bratcher allegedly stole $21,402 and used an alternate Social Security number to obtain Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
Bratcher allegedly kept her 96-year-old mother’s body in a freezer and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.