A federal grand jury indicted Denise Brooks, age 65, of Avondale for theft of government funds related to Social Security Disability Benefits, according to an April 6 announcement by United States Attorney David I. Courcelle.
The case centers on allegations that Brooks stole approximately $65,764 in disability benefits intended for her two minor children between November 2014 and November 2023.
Brooks faces a maximum prison sentence of ten years if convicted. She could also be fined up to $250,000, ordered to pay restitution, receive up to three years of supervised release, and be assessed a mandatory special assessment cost of $100.
Courcelle said that an indictment is only a charge and emphasized the legal standard: “the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Courcelle also praised the work done by the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General in investigating this matter. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Anne Flippo from the Public Integrity Unit is handling the prosecution.
