Jun 11, 8:06 AM EDT


Fla. woman sentenced in Maine fraud case



BANGOR, Maine (AP) -- Federal prosecutors in Maine say a Florida woman has been sentenced after fraudulently receiving nearly $33,000 from the government.

U.S. Attorney Paula Silsby said Wednesday that 58-year-old Lorraine Rich was sentenced in Bangor to four months in prison and ordered to pay restitution to the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Rich, who was convicted of making false statements and theft of government property, also faces three years of supervised release.

Prosecutors say Rich was designated to use veterans' benefits for her aunt. Records show Rich failed to tell the government when her aunt died, and continued collecting the money. The government also says she also falsely claimed eligibility to live in subsidized housing.


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END of Associated Press Release