New Jersey Woman Pleads Guilty to Social Security Fraud, Collecting Over $144,000 in Survivor Benefits

West Milford, NJ – In a striking case of Social Security fraud, Joan Charnecky, a 60-year-old woman from New Jersey, has admitted to unlawfully collecting more than $144,000 in survivor benefits intended for her deceased mother over nearly a decade. Federal prosecutors announced the guilty plea on Monday, September 22, 2025.

The case shines a light on the challenges faced by government agencies like the Social Security Administration (SSA) in detecting long-term benefits fraud. Charnecky’s actions, which spanned from December 2012 until September 2022, involved continuing to withdraw benefits meant for her mother, who passed away in 2012, without notifying the SSA.

The Alleged Fraud and Prolonged Collection of Benefits

According to U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, Charnecky’s mother, a widow, had been receiving widow’s benefits from the SSA for nearly 17 years until her death in December 2012. Following her mother’s passing, Charnecky was no longer entitled to the survivor benefits. However, prosecutors allege she failed to inform the SSA of her mother’s death.

Despite the death, the SSA continued making monthly direct deposits into her mother’s account, which Charnecky allegedly accessed and withdrew. Over the course of almost 10 years, she is accused of embezzling $144,768.30. The investigation uncovered that this fraudulent activity went undetected until recently.

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• Charnecky lived in West Milford, New Jersey, about 43 miles northwest of Newark.
• She pleaded guilty to theft of public money on September 10, 2025.
• Prosecutors say she collected benefits from December 2012 to September 2022 without authorization.
• She faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and fines up to $250,000.

“After her mother’s death, neither Charnecky, nor any other individual, was entitled to receive (the) widow’s benefits on her mother’s behalf,” the court documents stated, emphasizing the illegality of her actions.

Legal Proceedings and Potential Sentencing

Charnecky was not taken into custody, but a bond of $100,000 was set to ensure her court appearance. Defense attorney Joel Bacher has confirmed he is consulting with his client regarding the case. She is scheduled to be sentenced on January 14, 2026.

The severity of the charges reflects the seriousness with which the government treats public benefits fraud, highlighting the potential consequences for those who abuse the system.

Broader Implications and Government Responses

This case underscores the importance of vigilance by both beneficiaries and agencies like the SSA to prevent prolonged fraudulent claims that can drain government resources. It also raises awareness about the need for timely reporting of deaths or changes in eligibility to avoid such violations.

Attempts to obtain an official comment from the SSA were not successful as of September 23, 2025, but federal authorities continue to crack down on benefit fraud nationwide.

To learn more about this case, visit the original report by USA TODAY here.

Key Takeaways from the Charnecky Case

• Social Security survivor benefits are intended only for eligible recipients after a beneficiary’s death.
• Failure to report a death to SSA may lead to criminal charges and heavy penalties.
• Long-term fraud schemes can go undetected without rigorous monitoring and reporting.
• The consequences for fraud include prison time, hefty fines, and restitution of stolen funds.

What do you think about this Social Security fraud case? Have you ever encountered issues or heard of similar cases regarding benefits fraud? Share your thoughts in the comments below!