Wanda Gilpin, a 71-year-old resident of Pulaski, New York, has pled guilty to six counts of bank fraud and two counts of misuse of a social security number. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Amy Connelly, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General (SSA-OIG), New York Field Office.
During her plea change, Gilpin confessed to applying for various credit cards and loans using the personal information of others, including a deceased relative. She utilized these credit cards for personal expenses and reached the assigned credit limits on each card. Additionally, she secured an automobile loan and a personal loan. Overall, Gilpin obtained lines of credit and loans amounting to $24,909.68 from six financial institutions.
Gilpin's sentencing is set for May 7, 2025, before Senior United States Judge David N. Hurd. For the bank fraud charges alone, she could face up to 30 years in prison and a fine reaching $1 million. The social security fraud charges carry a potential maximum sentence of five years and a fine up to $250,000. Sentencing will be determined by the judge based on statutory guidelines and other considerations.
The investigation is being conducted by SSA-OIG with prosecution led by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Tuck alongside Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian LaRochelle.