A Spencer woman, Gina Llerena-Donohue, pleaded guilty to bank fraud in a federal court in Worcester. The case involves the fraudulent acquisition of Social Security benefits. U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman is set to sentence Llerena-Donohue on July 23, 2025.
Llerena-Donohue, aged 62, admitted to illicitly obtaining approximately $41,954.20 from the Social Security Administration from 2006 to 2021. The fraudulent activity began after a beneficiary, for whom she held power of attorney, passed away in January 2006. Llerena-Donohue did not inform the Social Security Administration or the associated bank about the death and accessed the funds through cash withdrawals. Moreover, in 2018 and 2019, she submitted false affidavits, stating that the power of attorney was still valid.
The potential sentence for bank fraud could be as high as 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000, or potentially more, depending on the gross gain or loss. Sentencing will be determined according to the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant statutory considerations.
This announcement was made by United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Amy Connelly, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the Social Security Administration's Office of the Inspector General in the Boston Field Division. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Nagelberg of the Major Crimes Unit.