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Date: 10-07-2020

Case Style:

United States of America v. Anne Aroste

Case Number: 1:18-cr-00351

Judge: Manish S. Shah

Court: United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (Cook County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: United States District Attorney’s Office, Chicago, Illinois

Defendant's Attorney:


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Description: Chicago, Illinois wire fraud criminal lawyer represented Anne Aroste, age 42, who was charged by the United States of America with wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

ANNE AROSTE worked as a claims specialist at the SSA’s field office in Aurora. Aroste was responsible for processing applications for Social Security benefits via the agency’s electronic records system. From 2013 to 2018, Aroste used the Social Security earnings records of deceased workers to create fraudulent applications for benefits. She then used her employee credentials to approve the applications and route the payments to bank accounts she controlled.

Aroste used the fraud proceeds to make credit card payments, mortgage payments, and car loan payments, including payments for a 2015 Mercedes-Benz sport-utility vehicle. She also used fraud proceeds to purchase clothing, groceries, jewelry, and cosmetics.

Aroste, 42, of Montgomery, Ill., pleaded guilty last year to charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. U.S. District Judge Manish S. Shah imposed the sentence in federal court in Chicago.

The sentence was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Gail S. Ennis, Inspector General of Social Security; and Patrick S. Mills, Special Agent-in-Charge of the U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service Chicago Field Office.

“In committing this crime, Aroste betrayed the public trust and stole from a program designed to assist the most vulnerable members of our community,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared C. Jodrey argued in the government’s sentencing memorandum. “Viewing her access to sensitive personal information as an opportunity to enrich herself, Aroste abused her employment position in order to steal people’s identities and defraud her employer.”

“SSA possesses the most sensitive and personal information for almost every person in this country, and SSA employees have a fundamental duty to protect that information,” said Inspector General Ennis. “We take any violation of the public trust very seriously, and we will continue to work with SSA to identify and root out suspected employee fraud. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for its support of these investigations and its efforts to bring them to a successful resolution.”

“We are pleased at the outcome of this case,” said Special Agent-in-Charge Mills. “The Diplomatic Security Service is committed to making sure those who commit identity theft and abuse their positions face the consequences of their actions.”

Outcome: 10/02/2020 65 MINUTE entry before the Honorable Manish S. Shah: Sentencing held as to defendant Anne Aroste. Defendant consents to appear via video conference. The court orally pronounces sentence. The court commits defendant to the custody of the United States Bureau of Prisons to be imprisoned for a total term of 24 months as to Count 1 of the Indictment, and 24 months as to Count 2 of the Indictment, to run consecutively, for a total term of 48 months. Upon release from imprisonment, the defendant shall be on supervised release for a term of 3 years as to Count 1 of the Indictment, and 1 year as to Count 2 of the Indictment, to run concurrently, with conditions as stated on the record. The defendant is ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $732,382.00 and a special assessment of $200, due immediately. The government's motion for entry of preliminary order of forfeiture 63 is granted. Enter Preliminary Order of Forfeiture. Judgment order to follow. The order setting defendant's conditions of release remains as set for now. The pretrial services officer is directed to file a supplemental report on the issue of continued location monitoring. Notices mailed. (psm, ) (Entered: 10/02/2020)
10/02/2020 66 PRELIMINARY ORDER of Forfeiture as to Anne Aroste. Signed by the Honorable Manish S. Shah on 10/2/20. Notices mailed. (psm, ) (Entered: 10/02/2020)
10/02/2020 67 JUDGMENT (Sentencing Order) as to Anne Aroste (1), Count(s) 1, 2. The Defendant: pleaded guilty to Counts 1 and 2 of the Indictment. Counts 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 are dismissed on the motion of the United States. The defendant is hereby committed to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons to be imprisoned for a total term of: 24 months as to Count 1 of the Indictment, and 24 months as to Count 2 of the Indictment. Terms shall run consecutively, for a total term of 48 months. The costs of incarceration are waived. The defendant shall surrender for service of sentence at the institution designated by the Bureau of Prisons: before 2:00 pm on January 12, 2021. Upon release from imprisonment, the defendant shall be on supervised release for a term of: three (3) years as to Count 1 and one (1) year as to Count 2 of the Indictment. Terms to be served concurrently. The costs of supervision are waived. Criminal Monetary Penalties. Schedule of Payments. Preliminary Order of Forfeiture. (Terminated defendant Anne Aroste). Signed by the Honorable Manish S. Shah on 10/2/2020. Mailed certified copy to defendant Anne Aroste's counsel of record Damon Matthew Cheronis. (lma, ) (Entered: 10/02/2020)
10/02/2020 68 STATEMENT of Reasons as to Anne Aroste (SEALED). Mailed certified copy to defendant Anne Aroste's counsel of record Damon Matthew Cheronis. (lma, ) (Entered: 10/02/2020)
10/02/2020 69 VICTIM INFORMATION LIST regarding judgment 67 (lma, ) (Entered: 10/02/2020)
10/02/2020 JUDGMENT and Commitment as to Anne Aroste issued to U.S. Marshal via e-mail in PDF format. (lma, ) (Entered: 10/02/2020)
10/02/2020 FORWARDED certified copy of Judgment (Sentencing Order) with Statement of Reasons to the Docketing Department of the U.S. Attorney's Office and the U.S. District Court's Fiscal Department as to Anne Aroste (lma, ) (Entered: 10/02/2020)

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