She Collected Her Mom's Social Security For 25 Years — Now She's Facing Justice

For more than two decades, a Minnesota woman managed to collect her deceased mother's Social Security benefits — until a recent investigation brought the long-running scheme to an end.

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A 25-Year Fraud Comes to Light

Mavious Redmond, 54, of Austin, Minnesota, pleaded guilty in federal court on April 9 to one count of theft of government funds. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Minnesota, Redmond had been collecting Social Security payments meant for her mother since her passing in January 1999.

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Instead of notifying the Social Security Administration of her mother's death, Redmond kept the payments flowing for 25 years, totaling more than $360,000.

"We are awash in federal programs fraud," said Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick in a  statement. "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."

Posing as Her Deceased Mother

The fraud came to a head in 2024 when Redmond took extraordinary steps to keep the deception going. According to court documents, she impersonated her deceased mother at least twice in person at a local Social Security office.

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On June 4, Redmond submitted a fraudulent Social Security application under her mother's name. She used her mother's personal details, including her date of birth and Social Security number, and even forged her mother's signature. Just over two weeks later, she returned to the office and submitted the paperwork again.

These actions helped investigators confirm the extent of the fraud. The case was led by the SSA's Office of the Inspector General, according to Kirkpatrick's statement. 

Charges and Next Steps

Redmond entered her guilty plea in U.S. District Court before Judge Nancy E. Brasel. While sentencing has not yet been scheduled, the charge of theft of government funds carries serious penalties, including the possibility of prison time, a court order to pay a fine of several thousand dollars, or both.

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Broader Concerns About Program Abuse

This case highlights growing concerns about fraud in federal benefit programs, particularly as government agencies work to modernize their oversight systems and prevent long-term abuse.

The SSA has safeguards in place to detect inconsistencies in benefit claims, but this case shows how determined individuals can still slip through the cracks, even for decades.

While most retirees and beneficiaries follow the rules, cases like this can raise questions about oversight, fairness, and how taxpayer dollars are protected. It's also a reminder of how important it is to report the death of a family member receiving benefits — and to avoid any temptation to continue collecting payments after that point.

The consequences, as Redmond's case shows, can be serious and long-lasting.

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